When it comes to our smartphones, we expect a certain level of privacy and trust. That’s why news about T-Mobile being sued after an employee allegedly stole nude images from a customer’s phone during a trade-in is particularly concerning.
According to the suit, a customer who was trading in her phone for a new model noticed that none of her pictures had transferred over. The suit claim’s the woman’s T-Mobile employee took it upon himself to download her intimate photos to his personal device while the customer’s phone was being serviced. The employee then reportedly sent the nude photos to his own phone.
The employee has been fired, but T-Mobile is facing legal claims for negligence, invasion of privacy, and violation of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. The customer is seeking an undisclosed amount of damages as well as additional punitive damages.
The issue is causing privacy advocates to raise questions about what privacy measures smartphone service providers have in place to protect customers’ private data. In wake of the scandal, T-Mobile has released an updated statement saying that they have implemented new privacy protocols “that extend beyond industry standards” as well as additional security measures.
Fortunately, this story of alleged privacy violation has a happy ending. Although customers should take precautions to protect their private data, such as by password protecting their devices, it’s reassuring to know that service providers such as T-Mobile are taking customer privacy seriously and implementing the necessary changes to protect its customers’ data.