Quebec lawsuit alleges video games are gathering children’s personal data

A proposed class-action lawsuit claims that certain video games are gathering children's data without parental consent.

A legal battle could soon be taking place in the gaming world after a proposed class action lawsuit claims some games are gathering children’s data without parental consent.

The lawsuit was filed in Quebec and targets more than 40 gaming companies, including Gameloft, Bandai, Nintendo, Microsoft and Montreal-based Ubisoft.

The plaintiff is a 14-year-old’s parent who is particularly concerned with the privacy policies of the games her child plays.

The suit alleges that mobile games aimed at children are collecting more than just high scores — it’s collecting their personal data.

“The law in Quebec forces the companies to obtain legal consent from the parent or the tutor before collecting any personal information,” said lead lawyer François Pariseau of the law firm Slater Vecchio LLP.

Pairseau said their findings show that gaming companies gather sensitive data without parental consent and then sell it to third parties.

University of Ottawa law professor Thomas Burelli is part of the research team believes it’s a good thing these companies are being challenged.

“Like the old saying, when it’s cheap or when it’s free, you are the product, and with the device, that is exactly what is happening,” he said.

Burelli added that the data collected could include anything from their photos to their email address to even the child’s location. It could also track their gaming patterns.

“They say it’s for marketing purposes; it’s to give you targeted ads, so we need to know how you play,” said Burelli. “So we will give you the exact ad you might fall for.”

The lawsuit claims that the actions violate privacy rights protected under the Quebec Charter, and it is calling for the practices to stop.

The suit is also seeking compensation.

CTV News contacted Ubisoft and other gaming giants, but did not receive a comment.

The lawsuit has yet to be approved, and none of the allegations have been proven in court.