Smith & Wesson Ordered to Face Consumer Data Sharing Lawsuit

Smith & Wesson Inc. has failed to convince a federal court to dismiss a proposed class action alleging it shared consumers' information with Google LLC, X Corp., and other third parties in violation of California privacy laws.

The gun maker was seeking to have the claims dismissed, but Judge P. Casey Pitts of the US District Court for the Northern District of California has ruled that the plaintiffs adequately stated claims of common law fraud and violations of the wiretapping and pen register provisions of the California Invasion of Privacy Act.

This is not the first time Smith & Wesson has tried to have these claims dismissed. Judge Pitts previously granted the gun maker's motion to dismiss the CIPA claims, but the plaintiffs were able to refile their complaint and argue their case again.