An online privacy lawsuit brought against Delta Air Lines has been thrown out by a California court.
The dismissal means the state law doesn’t apply to airlines, which are already heavily regulated under federal regulations.
The lawsuit was filed against Delta by Attorney General Kamala Harris for violating new privacy laws enacted in California in 2012.
It was at the time the first legal action brought under California’s online privacy law.
"Losing your personal privacy should not be the cost of using mobile apps, but all too often is," Harris said at the time.
Harris contended the airline did not disclose to customers their information was being stored by the airline via its mobile app.
Delta’s argued all airlines are regulated by the federal Airline Deregulation Act and protects them from actions under state laws.
The state appellate court in San Francisco agreed with this and threw out Harris’ claim, upholding an earlier dismissal of the lawsuit.
Fly Delta mobile app stores customer information including name, email address, credit card numbers and frequent flyer account.
Attorney Robert Span, who filed comments on behalf of the Air Transport Association of America, said the ruling would ensure airlines avoid ‘a patchwork of different regulations around the country.
