Netflix Bringing Its Customers Out of The Closet

The choice to come “out of the closet” is a very personal one.  Ellen DeGeners, Clay Aiken, and Meredith Baxter are just a few examples of the way an individual’s public life changes when they are open about their sexuality.

For celebrities, there is always the concern that they will be “outed” before they are ready to make their status public.  For us noncelebrities, there is always the concern that Netflix, the popular mail in movie rental company, will expose one’s status.

Ok, maybe it is not that extreme, but in the case of Doe v. Netflix recently filed in California, a lesbian mother is claiming just that.  Specifically, the woman alleges that the movie rental company made it possible for her to be outed when it disclosed insufficiently anonymous information about nearly half-a-million customers as part of its $1 million contest to improve its recommendation system.

Known as the “Brokeback Mountain” factor, the complaint alleges that because her video rental information was made publicly available, her sexual orientation was disclosed, which can have a negative effect on her life and “her ability to pursue her livelihood and support her family and would hinder her and her children’s ability to live peaceful lives.”

For whatever reason, the plaintiff in this case wants her sexual life to remain private and that is fine.  What I cannot seem to understand is who she thinks would see her rental information and make the assumptions she is so worried about.

That being said, I think that people cannot expect the same amount of privacy they may be accustom to when the information is online.  I for one could care less if people knew how many romantic comedies I rent and could figure out that I am a hopeless romantic with no interest in serious or scary movies.  In my opinion, this is going to be a difficult case to win but it will be interesting to see how a court interprets this type of invasion of privacy.  Netflix may want to wait to see the results of this suit before they have their second round of contests!