Capital One Accused of Lifting Commissions from Shopping Browser Add-on: Claim in Legal Action
Headline: Capital One Suit: Bank's Shopping Add-on Accused of Swipe-and-Steal Tactics
Subheadline: Online content creators take Capital One to court over allegations that the bank's browser extension stole sales commissions during online purchases.
(Sourcing: The Daily Hodl, Reuters)
In a twist of tech-savvy theft, U.S. financial behemoth Capital One finds itself in hot water due to a proposed class-action lawsuit. The gist? Capital One Shopping, the bank's handy browser extension, has been accused of pilfering commissions from online creators during online transactions[1][2][3].
The stealthy tactic is said to involve overriding creators' affiliate tracking codes during online purchases, thus grabbing the hard-earned commissions that rightfully belonged to bloggers, influencers, and YouTubers[1]. The accusers claim that Capital One is guilty of three wrongdoings: unjust enrichment, contract interference, and violations of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act[1].
Judge Anthony Trenga, U.S. District Judge for the Eastern District of Virginia, partially denied Capital One's effort to dismiss the case[1][2]. He deemed the plaintiffs' argument credible since they proved Capital One likely understood it was diverting funds by overriding web cookies containing commission data[1][2].
Capital One has denied the allegations, claiming its browser extension doesn't steal commissions and maintaining its intention to defend itself in court[1]. Despite this denial, the lawsuit is moving forward, with a consolidated group of content creators ready to fight for their earnings[5]. Law firm Cohen Milstein, known for its expertise in consumer protection and class action litigation, is representing the plaintiffs[5].
Stay tuned as this digital Cat-and-Mouse game unfolds – Capital One versus the creators. The courtroom battle will reveal if the bank's shopping tool is truly built on a bedrock of integrity or just a platform for pilfering paychecks.
Sources:
[1] Reuters, 2022. Capital One must face suit accusing it of stealing commissions from online content creators. https://www.reuters.com/business/capital-one-must-face-suit-accusing-it-stealing-commissions-online-content-creators-2022-02-17/
[2] The Daily Hodl, 2022. Capital One Facing Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Its Shopping Browser Extension Steals Commissions from Content Creators. https://dailyhodl.com/2022/02/23/capital-one-facing-class-action-lawsuit-alleging-its-shopping-browser-extension-steals-commissions-from-content-creators/
[3] MarketWatch, 2022. Capital One accused of stealing sales commissions from online content creators. https://www.marketwatch.com/story/capital-one-accused-of-stealing-sales-commissions-from-online-content-creators-2022-02-17
[4] The Verge, 2020. Capital One's Shopping Savings Extension just got a lot more useful. https://www.theverge.com/2020/1/24/21076632/capital-one-shopping-savings-extention-price-drop-expiration-dates-deals
[5] Cohen Milstein, 2022. Capital One Corp. Facing Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Company Steals Commissions from Online Content Creators. https://www.cohenmilstein.com/press-releases/class-action-lawsuit-alleges-capital-one-co-steals-commissions-from-online-content-creators/
- The allegations against Capital One, a renowned player in the banking-and-insurance industry, have extended to the cryptocurrency and altcoins space, with claims that its Shopping browser extension interfered with affiliate tracking codes of online content creators in the finance and business sectors.
- The ongoing legal dispute, stirring a digital Cat-and-Mouse game, is not just confined to the banking industry but could have implications for the cryptocurrency and blockchain industry, as the case could set a precedent on issues related to contract interference and violations of the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act.
- As the courtroom battle unfolds, the cryptocurrency and altcoins industry watches closely, as the verdict could potentially impact the trust and credibility in digital platforms used for commerce and finance, further shaping the future of digital transactions and data privacy.
