A legal dispute over the use of fingerprint scanning technology at a logistics facility has escalated dramatically, with a federal judge granting class action status that could sweep in thousands of workers. The case, which centers on Illinois' stringent Biometric Privacy Act (BIPA), highlights growing legal risks for companies deploying biometric timekeeping systems without explicit consent.
The lawsuit was originally filed in 2021 by Illinois truck driver Brandon Willis against Universal Intermodal Services, a subsidiary of publicly-traded Universal Logistics (NASDAQ: ULH). Willis claimed that the company's use of a fingerprint scanner at its Harvey, Illinois facility violated BIPA, which requires entities collecting biometric data to inform individuals in writing and obtain a written release. According to Judge Elaine E. Bucklo of the U.S. Federal District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, BIPA mandates that "whatever entity is gathering biometric information must inform that person whose information is collected in writing, and receive a written release regarding collection and retention of the biometric data."
Class Action Scope Expands
The critical ruling by Judge Bucklo on June 26, 2026, expanded the class from Universal employees alone to "any persons who had their fingerprints scanned" at the Harvey facility between March 30, 2016 through the present. This includes workers from LINC—a Universal Logistics subsidiary not named as a defendant—and third-party staffing agencies. Judge Bucklo noted that "most" of the scanned workers fell into these categories, meaning over 50% of the now-larger plaintiff pool are non-Universal employees. The judge reasoned that Willis was suing Intermodal "not because Intermodal was his employer but because Intermodal is the entity that allegedly collected, stored, and/or transmitted his biometrics without complying with BIPA's procedural safeguards."
Defendants and Allegations
The amended complaint, filed in August 2023, widened the list of defendants to include:
| Defendant | Role |
|---|---|
| Universal Intermodal Services | Lead defendant, alleged operator of the biometric system |
| HR-1 LLC | An arm of the private business of Matthew Moroun, who owns about 70% of Universal |
| Universal Management Services, Inc. | Corporate affiliate |
| Data System Services | Outside company that provided biometric services to Universal |
The lawsuit alleges that defendants "directed, authorized, and coordinated the capture and collection of the fingerprints of workers and other persons at the Illinois Facilities by requiring the workers and other persons to use Biometric Scanners to clock in and clock out each day" without the required written consent. Judge Bucklo's decision on class status did not rule on the underlying BIPA violations but noted that Willis claims the defendants "took actions that directly violated the BIPA," with some being vicariously liable for the violations of others.
Broader Implications for Logistics Technology
Illinois' BIPA has long been considered the most stringent biometric privacy law in the country and has been described as "a threat to business" in the source. The law has been the focus of other trucking-related litigation, including a case against in-cab video company Lytx that resulted in payouts to thousands of drivers of between about $650 and $850 per person. For enterprise technology leaders, this case underscores the need for rigorous consent management when implementing biometric systems for workforce management. Universal Logistics' use of fingerprint scanning for clock-in/out, while common in warehouses and terminals, faces heightened scrutiny under state laws like BIPA. The outcome could set a precedent for how logistics companies adopt biometric authentication without exposing themselves to class-action liability.
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