[USA] Facebook Internet Tracking Litigation

Facts:

Websites can use Facebook "Like" buttons, which let users share content with their Facebook friends. Clicking a Like button sends a background request to Facebook servers with the universal resource locator (URL) of the web page and copies of cookies on the user’s browser. 

A group of Facebook subscribers (plaintiffs) brought a lawsuit asserting Facebook used the Like buttons to track their browsing activities in violation of the Wiretap Act as amended by the Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), in addition to state-law claims for intrusion upon seclusion, invasion of privacy, and breach of contract.

Rules:

Social-networking websites using Like buttons to allow users to share third-party content is not an actionable interception of private electronic communications, invasion of privacy, or intrusion on seclusion.