In a firm ruling from U.S. District Judge Robert Lasnik, Amazon’s attempt to file an extensive 120-page brief in a privacy lawsuit was decisively blocked. The judge, known for his no-nonsense approach, dismissed the tech giant’s request, stating that such lengthy filings often end up being “verbose, repetitive, and a waste of resources.”
The ongoing lawsuit, which accuses Amazon of illegally monitoring and collecting user communications via Alexa and Echo devices, has been contentious. Plaintiffs claim Amazon violated wiretap laws and are seeking billions in damages. Despite Amazon’s insistence that a longer brief was necessary to address the complexities involving 10 individual plaintiffs, Judge Lasnik allowed only 48 pages—far short of the 120 Amazon wanted.
In a three-page order, Lasnik humorously likened the request to submitting a “novella” rather than a legal brief. He underscored that most substantive briefs in his district don’t exceed 24 pages, emphasizing the need for conciseness in legal proceedings.
Amazon’s attorneys argued that without the extra pages, they would face “significant unfair prejudice,” but the judge remained unconvinced, pointing out that granting such a request would place an undue burden on the court and the involved parties.
This ruling highlights the ongoing tension between tech giants and the legal system, particularly when it comes to managing the sheer volume of information in complex cases. The case continues, with Amazon firmly denying any wrongdoing in its handling of Alexa data.
