A class-action settlement has been reached against Magid Glove and Safety Manufacturing Company following allegations that it violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. Bernardo Cardona filed the class action lawsuit in January 2021. The Circuit Court of Will County, Illinois, granted preliminary approval of the $5.175 million settlement in late September 2024.
Per the lawsuit, Magid Glove allegedly used fingerprint time clocks and temperature scanners without disclosures regarding the collection of biometric information.
If the court grants final approval, Magid Glove’s hourly employees and temporary workers who used a fingerprint time clock or had their temperature scanned at Magid Glove’s Romeoville, Illinois, facility from Jan. 8, 2016, to Aug. 8, 2024, will be entitled to receive shares of the settlement.
“Biometric data is more unique and personal than a social security number, but big businesses have ignored privacy laws and demanded that workers hand over this sensitive information without the proper safeguards and consents,” says Daniel Brown, lead counsel for Cardona and the settlement classes. “We are proud to achieve this result on behalf of over 1,000 workers who fell victim to these unlawful practices,” Brown adds.
According to the law firm Williams Barber & Morel Ltd., more than 1,000 Magid Glove workers who used the fingerprint time clock are expected to receive about $3,200 each. Williams Barber & Morel officials say the settlement will set a record for the largest recovery per class member for BIPA violations. The recoveries for users of the temperature scanners, estimated to receive about $130 each, are also believed to be the first of their kind.
Magid Glove denies violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act or any other law. The final approval hearing is scheduled for Dec. 20, 2024. More information can be found HERE.