A few weeks ago, an angry mother contacted Carter Law Group about a deeply troubling call she received from her security provider, ADT.  ADT called our client because it had recently discovered, through the complaints of another customer, that an ADT employee had been using our client’s security cameras to watch her and her teenage daughter – watching them while they were doing the mundane tasks one does at home alone, but also watching them in their most vulnerable moments, their most intimate moments in the privacy of their home.

Needless to say, this mother was shocked, angry, and violated.  Did I mention she also works for the Department of Homeland Security? So, she was also rightfully worried about any security breaches of her work that might have occurred with the voyeurism.  Since that phone call, Heather and I have talked to numerous families who ADT has confessed a similar breach of trust and security.  Not to be flippant, but this ADT employee’s actions brings a whole new and scary meaning to ADT’s slogan, “Always There.”

But today, Carter Law Group, along with some of our trusted colleagues, punched back against ADT’s violations and gross negligence by filing two class actions in the Southern District of Florida, ADT’s home base.  One suit brings claims on behalf of people, many children, who were not part of the security contract with ADT, but whose privacy was violated.  The second lawsuit is on behalf of those who signed a contract for security with ADT and later learned those services were used to spy on them and their families. Links to both complaints are below.

The suit on behalf of these customers was filed separately because we expect ADT will try to enforce the arbitration clause buried in its adhesion contract.  As defenders of the 7th Amendment right of trial by jury, CLG has long fought against arbitration clauses. For the evils of arbitration clauses, please see these sources:

https://www.nclc.org/images/pdf/arbitration/state-fact-sheets/texas-arb.pdf

https://www.consumerreports.org/mandatory-binding-arbitration/forced-arbitration-clause-for-concern/

https://www.consumeradvocates.org/for-consumers/arbitration

https://www.aclu.org/blog/womens-rights/womens-rights-workplace/its-time-end-forced-arbitration

I am proud to represent these mothers, children and families.  And I am proud to be part of the team that is taking on the giant that holds itself out as #1 in smart home security while allowing it’s employees to infiltrate and destroy the security of its customers.

Preddy v. ADT, LLC

Doty v. ADT, LLC