Firm Uses Secret Spyware to ‘De-Anonymize’ Website Visitors, Alleges Complaint

strategy enterprise services, “secretly installed” spyware on its website from third party Lead Forensics. The spyware allows Mandry to “de-anonymize every anonymous visitor to the site” so that it knows each visitor's name, face, location, email and browsing history, said the complaint. The spyware “aggregates” that user data “with other data obtained from the dark web,” so that Mandry can turn “anonymous visitors into actionable sales leads in real-time," it alleged. None of that’s done with Hughes’ “consent or authorization,” it said. She visited Mandry’s website “without being informed, let alone authorizing,” Mandry to share her data with third parties, it said. Mandry’s conduct, if allowed to proceed, “would dramatically change the nature of the internet,” such that anonymous web-surfing “is now a means to surveil, commoditize, and control personal information of users,” it said. Mandry’s actions are unlawful under the California Unauthorized Access to Computer Data Act, plus they’re intrusive and offensive “such that they would shock the conscience of any website user,” it said. She seeks “all relief available” under the statute, including compensatory and punitive damages, plus injunctive relief and attorneys' fees. Mandry denies Hughes’ allegations and that she has suffered any loss or injury, said its notice of removal. It also denies she’s entitled to any damages, injunctive relief or any other relief or recovery, it said.