Dynamic Accident Lawyers: Microsoft Hit With Class Action Over Text Message Spam

A class action lawsuit was hit against tech giant Microsoft alleging that the company illegally contacted customers through text messages.

The text spam class action lawsuit alleges that Microsoft, through a third party advertising firm, sent consumers unwanted text message spam.

The TCPA class action lawsuit alleges that Microsoft used social media to collect the cell phone numbers of consumers, then sent text message spam to those consumers. More specifically, Microsoft and the marketing firm HelloWorld Inc. posted ads on social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Allegedly, these ads solicited customers to text a number for a chance to win prizes from Microsoft. However, the number was allegedly used to collect cell numbers in order to send them text message spam.

Though HelloWorld may have orchestrated the alleged text message spam, the TCPA class action lawsuit also seeks to hold Microsoft accountable for the alleged TCPA violations.

The Federal Trade Commission, the part of the government charged with enforcing the TCPA, this summer issued a new order saying that companies using third parties may be held accountable for TCPA violations committed by third parties on their behalf.

If the allegations in the TCPA class action lawsuit hold up, this could mean that Microsoft could be on the hook for the alleged TCPA violation committed by HelloWorld Inc. on its behalf.

According to allegations made in the TCPA class action lawsuit, customers received as many as 10 unwanted text messages per month after responding to the social media ads. The TCPA lawsuit alleges that the advertisements on social media did not have disclaimers or adequately explain that customers were signing up for repeatedly receiving text messages.

The TCPA lawsuit holds that these alleged tactics violate the TCPA, exposing both Microsoft and HelloWorld to liability for statutory damages under the act. Under the TCPA, companies must obtain express written permission in order to send consumers text messages, to differentiate them from text message spam.

The TCPA lawsuit also seeks to have the courts issue an injunction, preventing further alleged misconduct.

The TCPA is designed to be partially enforced through civil lawsuits, like this TCPA class action lawsuit. Under the TCPA, consumers may sue for thousands of dollars in statutory damages, and each call is potentially considered a separate TCPA violation. Additionally, the TCPA allows consumers to seek to recoup any sort of costs from receiving unsolicited text messages.

The Microsoft TCPA Class Action Lawsuit is Case No. 2:15-cv-5527, filed in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.

Join a Free TCPA Class Action Lawsuit Investigation

If you were contacted on your cell phone by a company via an unsolicited text message (text spam) or prerecorded voice message (robocall), you may be eligible for compensation under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

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