Pennsylvania-based Tower Health successfully defended against a proposed class action lawsuit that accused it of sharing patients’ personal health information with Meta Platforms Inc. The lawsuit claimed that this sharing of information violated the Electronic Communications Privacy Act and common law. However, Judge John F. Murphy of the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ruled in favor of Tower Health on Wednesday.
The plaintiffs, Patrick Santoro and Jessica Landis, did not provide enough evidence to show that the information shared with Meta was sensitive health information. Judge Murphy emphasized that this lack of evidence was detrimental to their claims of negligence, intrusion upon seclusion, and violations of the ECPA. As a result, he dismissed the lawsuit without allowing the plaintiffs to make any changes.
Santoro and Landis had alleged that Tower Health had disclosed their personal health information to Meta without their consent. This lawsuit highlights the importance of protecting patients’ sensitive information and the legal challenges that arise when such information is shared without proper authorization. Tower Health’s successful defense in this case underscores the need for businesses to carefully handle and protect individuals’ private data.