Apple Says California Privacy Law Doesn't Apply To Web Retailers

Apple is asking California's highest court to rule that a state law limiting data collection by merchants who accept credit cards doesn't apply to online retailers.

Imposing the Song-Beverly Act's requirements on Web retailers "threatens to produce unintended and absurd results," Apple argues in its legal papers. The 21-year-old privacy law bans retailers from requesting and storing the street addresses of consumers who pay by credit card. Apple argues that it doesn't make sense to apply the Song-Beverly law to online retailers, given that they can't verify identity by asking for a photo or comparing an in-store signature to the one on a card. California's Supreme Court is slated to hear arguments on November 7. The matter stems from a potential class-action lawsuit against Apple filed last year by David Krescent. He alleges that Apple violated California's law by requiring him to provide his address when he purchased media from the company.