BELLEVILLE – A class action lawsuit alleges RCI Dining Services collected fingerprints from individuals in violation of state privacy law.
Plaintiff Adam Rapp filed a class action lawsuit in the St. Clair County Circuit Court against RCI Management Services, Inc. and RCI Dining Services (Harvey), Inc., citing invasion of privacy in violation of the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. (BIPA)
According to the lawsuit, RCI Dining Services operates a night club in Washington Park. During the scope of operating the establishment, the defendant allegedly collected the fingerprints, names and addresses of the plaintiff and thousands of other individuals.
The lawsuit states that BIPA requires that prior to collecting biometric data including fingerprints, companies must inform individuals in writing that biometric data will be collected and stored. It also states that these individuals must be informed in writing of the specific purpose of why the biometric data is being collected, how long it will be stored, and companies must receive a written release from the employee for the collection of biometric data.
The plaintiff alleges that RCI Dining Services invades the privacy of those it collects fingerprints from by collecting and storing their fingerprints without informed consent.
Rapp is seeking damages for himself and everyone in his class action lawsuit in the amount of $5,000 per intentionally reckless BIPA violation and $1,000 per negligent BIPA violation, plus court costs, interest, attorney fees and any other relief the court deems proper. He is also requesting the court to issue an order to RCI to cease the collection of biometric data without informed written consent.
The plaintiff is represented by attorney William H. Beaumont of Beaumont Costales, LLC in Chicago.
St. Clair County Circuit Court case number 22LA0884