07-06-2010, 08:58 PM
(07-06-2010, 08:17 PM)TheDragoon Wrote:(07-06-2010, 07:12 PM)Lissa Wrote: Why do I see a class action lawsuit coming Blizzard's way if this goes live? People are up in arms as it is with Google storing information and the privacy issues that entails.I don't see a class action lawsuit having any traction. They've already said this cannot (and will not) be retroactive. It will only be active for the new forums which are designed to handle this functionality. Also, they have said there will be plenty of warnings to people before they make their first post under those new rules, so hopefully people won't be stumbling into it without realizing what they're doing.
So it would basically come down to an optional service that you have to actively buy into before it would be used. I don't think there's any complaint about that (other than the fact that if you post there now but disagree with this approach then you will eventually no longer be able to post there).
They have stated that they will not be changing posts retroactively but I still wonder what will happen with Armory. This has me concerned as my 14 year olds name is attached to one of the accounts. If that information will be out there then I will be deleting my accounts.
As to potential lawsuits I am not so sure that any type of suit is without merit. It will depend on how they implement notice so that there is an adequate warning. There is also a definite bias in the law against waver of negligence by contract. Would depend on industry standard for release of this type of information.
In a scenario where a stalker finds and injures someone based upon in game interaction and the new functionality. Where experts testify that the standard of care in internet security is to restrict this information. It is not certain in my mind that a dismissal of the action would be certain under the law in my State.
A better way to reduce the morass that is the blizzard forums would be to restrict blue responses and interaction. The proliferation of all that is bad certaintly seems connected to the desire to get a blizzard response.