In the modern era of neoliberal capitalism, corporations like Getaround have risen to prominence by leveraging digital innovation to disrupt traditional industries.
On the surface, Getaround—a peer-to-peer car-sharing platform—appears to embody the ideals of the “sharing economy,” offering convenience, flexibility, and affordability. However, beneath this veneer lies a troubling reality: the company’s alleged misuse of biometric data exposes a deeper pattern of corporate greed, disregard for public health and safety, and erosion of consumer rights.
This case is emblematic of how unchecked corporate practices can harm individuals and communities while perpetuating systemic inequalities.
Biometric Data Is A New Frontier for Corporate Exploitation
The class-action lawsuit filed against Getaround under the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) reveals a chilling example of corporate overreach:
According to the filed legal documents, Getaround collected, stored, and disseminated sensitive biometric identifiers—specifically facial geometry scans—without obtaining proper consent or adhering to legal safeguards.
This data was ostensibly gathered to verify user identities during account creation but was retained unlawfully long after its purpose had been fulfilled.
Biometric data is uniquely sensitive because it is immutable; unlike passwords or social security numbers, you cannot change your face or fingerprints if they are compromised.
By failing to destroy this data or disclose its retention policies, Getaround has placed its users at heightened risk of identity theft, unauthorized surveillance, and exploitation by third parties.
Such practices are emblematic of a corporate culture that prioritizes profit over ethical responsibility.
Corporate Greed at the Expense of Consumer Privacy
Getaround’s actions reflect a broader trend in which corporations exploit emerging technologies to maximize shareholder profits while disregarding ethical considerations. The commodification of personal data has become a lucrative business model in the digital age, with companies collecting vast troves of information under the guise of improving user experience. However, as evidenced by this lawsuit, these practices often involve significant risks to public health and safety.
- Economic Fallout: The misuse of biometric data could have far-reaching economic consequences for affected consumers. Identity theft can lead to financial losses, damaged credit scores, and years of bureaucratic struggles to restore one’s identity.
- Public Health Concerns: Beyond financial harm, the psychological toll of having one’s biometric data compromised cannot be overstated. Victims may experience anxiety, stress, and a loss of trust in digital platforms.
- Social Inequities: Marginalized communities are disproportionately affected by such practices. Low-income individuals may lack access to legal resources needed to challenge corporate misconduct, further entrenching wealth disparities.
This exploitation underscores a fundamental flaw in our neoliberal economic system: corporations are incentivized to prioritize short-term gains over long-term societal well-being. The unchecked accumulation of wealth and power by entities like Getaround perpetuates a vicious cycle in which consumer rights are continually eroded.
The Role of Neoliberalism in Enabling Corporate Misconduct
The rise of neoliberal capitalism has created an environment where corporations operate with minimal accountability. Policies favoring deregulation and privatization have emboldened companies to push ethical boundaries in pursuit of profit. In this context, Getaround’s alleged violations are not an isolated incident but part of a systemic issue.
- Wealth Disparity: Neoliberal policies have concentrated wealth among corporate elites while leaving ordinary citizens vulnerable to exploitation. By monetizing biometric data without adequate safeguards, Getaround exemplifies how corporations extract value from consumers without equitable redistribution.
- Corporate Ethics: The lack of transparency surrounding Getaround’s data retention policies highlights a broader failure in corporate governance. Ethical considerations are often sidelined in favor of maximizing shareholder returns.
- Regulatory Gaps: Although Illinois’ BIPA provides critical protections for biometric data, similar legislation is lacking in many other states. This patchwork approach allows companies to exploit regulatory loopholes and avoid accountability.
The neoliberal emphasis on market efficiency has led to the normalization of such practices. As long as corporations can externalize the costs of their misconduct—whether through environmental degradation, consumer harm, or data breaches—they have little incentive to change their behavior.
The Human Cost
While legal documents provide a technical account of Getaround’s alleged violations, it is essential to consider the human stories behind these cases. Each facial scan represents an individual who entrusted their personal information to a company that failed them. For many users, this betrayal is deeply personal.
- Imagine a single parent who relies on Getaround for transportation but now faces the threat of identity theft due to the company’s negligence.
- Consider an immigrant who fears that their biometric data could be misused in ways that jeopardize their legal status or safety.
- Think about young adults entering the workforce who must navigate the fallout from compromised data while trying to build their financial futures.
These scenarios illustrate how corporate misconduct disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, exacerbating existing inequalities and undermining social justice.
A Call for Reform Corporations
These allegations against Getaround serves as a depressing reminder that voluntary self-regulation is insufficient to protect consumers from corporate overreach. Robust government intervention is needed to enforce accountability and deter future misconduct.
Policy Recommendations
- Stronger Legislation: Expand biometric privacy laws like BIPA nationwide to establish uniform standards for data collection, storage, and destruction.
- Harsher Penalties: Impose significant financial penalties on companies that violate privacy laws to ensure that compliance becomes more cost-effective than noncompliance.
- Consumer Advocacy: Empower grassroots movements to hold corporations accountable through boycotts and public awareness campaigns.
- Corporate Transparency: Mandate that companies disclose their data retention policies and provide consumers with clear opt-out mechanisms.
Cultural Change
Beyond legal reforms, there must be a cultural shift within corporate America toward prioritizing ethical responsibility over profit maximization. Companies must recognize that long-term success depends on building trust with consumers rather than exploiting them for short-term gains.
Can Corporations Change? A Skeptical POV
While some optimists argue that market forces will eventually compel corporations to adopt more ethical practices, history suggests otherwise. As long as greed remains embedded in corporate culture—and as long as profits outweigh penalties—meaningful change will remain elusive.
Consider past scandals involving major corporations:
- Pharmaceutical companies fueling the opioid crisis through deceptive marketing.
- Automakers manipulating emissions tests at the expense of public health.
- Social media platforms profiting from misinformation while undermining democratic institutions.
These examples demonstrate that even when caught red-handed, corporations often view fines and lawsuits as mere costs of doing business rather than deterrents against unethical behavior.
Toward a More Equitable Future
The allegations against Getaround highlight the urgent need for systemic change in how corporations handle consumer data. This case is not just about one company’s misconduct; it is about the broader dangers posed by unregulated corporate power in a neoliberal economy.
To create a more just society:
- Governments must enforce stricter regulations and hold corporations accountable for their actions.
- Consumers must demand greater transparency and advocate for their rights.
- Corporations must embrace ethical practices as integral—not optional—to their business models.
Ultimately, this fight is about more than our personal privacy; it is about reclaiming agency in an era where individuals are increasingly reduced to data points in corporate profit calculations.
By challenging entities like Getaround, we take a stand against corporate greed and affirm our commitment to public health, social justice, and economic equity.
sauceirino:
https://www.evilcorporations.org
https://evilcorporations.org/category/data-breach-privacy/