The complaint, filed at U.S. District Court in San Jose, Calif., claims that iPhones and iPads are encoded with identifying devices that allow advertising networks to track what applications users download, how often they’re used and for how long.
“Some apps are also selling additional information to ad networks, including users’ location, age, gender, income, ethnicity, sexual orientation and political views,” the suit said.
Apple iPhones and iPads are set with a Unique Device Identifier, or UDID, which can’t be blocked by users, according to the complaint.
Apple claims it reviews all applications on its app store and doesn’t allow them to transmit user data without customer permission, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit claims the transmission of personal information is a violation of federal computer fraud and privacy laws and seeks class-action status for Apple customers who downloaded an application on their iPhone or iPad between Dec. 1, 2008, and last week.