Battle.net Authenticator Class Action Suit

Courthouse News Service has details on a class action suit filed against Blizzard for consumer fraud, unjust enrichment, negligence, breach of contract and bailment over being asked to pay for an authenticator to secure Battle.net accounts (thanks na p), noting that Blizzard has made $26 million selling these things at $6.40 a pop (apparently their presumption is they are free to manufacture). Here's word:
Bell claims that Activision and Blizzard require gamers to use online accounts at the Battle.net website, which collects and stores customers' private information.

Blizzard puts the onus on gamers to buy additional products or tighten security on their devices, rather than making customer accounts more secure, Bell claims.

"Defendants negligently, deliberately, and/or recklessly fail to ensure that adequate, reasonable procedures safeguard the private information stored on this website. As a result of these acts, the private information of plaintiffs and class members has been compromised and/or stolen since at least 2007," according to the 33-page complaint.

"Most recently, on or about May 19, 2012, reports proliferated that class members' Battle.net accounts had suffered a security breach ('hack') at the hands of unknown parties ('hackers'), and on or about August 4, 2012, hackers massively breached Battle.net's security and acquired the private information of all of defendants' customers in the United States, as well as the remainder of North America, Latin America, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia."

Though account details for millions of gamers were compromised or stolen, Bell says, neither Activision nor Blizzard took "the legally required steps to alert" gamers.

Bell seeks class damages and an injunction to bar the defendants from "tacking on" undisclosed costs after customers have bought games, and from requiring them to sign up for Battle.net accounts.
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Re: Battle.net Authenticator Class Action Sui
Nov 9, 2012, 01:38
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Re: Battle.net Authenticator Class Action Sui Nov 9, 2012, 01:38
Nov 9, 2012, 01:38
 
Draugr wrote on Nov 9, 2012, 01:36:

So there is a part of the game that you don't get access to unless an authenticator is involved? Sounds like getting screwed to me, especially when you consider this only became policy AFTER the games release. Parts of the game were taken away from you unless you met their NEW criteria.
I don't know or particularly care if its worthy of a class action suit, but them providing a solution is how I feel about the situation.

There is only one thing that 'requires' the authenticator the Real Money Auction House. You don't need to use the RMAH. YOu can simply use the normal gold auction house and that doesn't require an authenticator. So only one entirely optional, with an effective alternative, requires you to have the authentictor. You can play the entire game, go online with friends and strangers, use the gold auction house, and never touch an authenticator (assuming you have a good password policy and arent stupid enough to get phished) It's 'nice to have' for stupid people but its certainly not required to play the actual game itself in any way.
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      Re: Battle.net Authenticator Class Action Sui