Published
March 5, 2026
If you researched treatment on gatewayfoundation.org while signed in to a Google or Microsoft account, tracking pixels may have shared your private addiction-treatment browsing without your consent.
Was Your Private Addiction Treatment Information Tracked Without Your Consent?
Attorneys are investigating a potential class action lawsuit involving Gateway Foundation (gatewayfoundation.org), one of the largest nonprofit addiction treatment providers in the United States.If you sought treatment from Gateway Foundation through their website and had a Google or Microsoft account at the time, your private information may have been improperly shared with third parties without your consent.
This is particularly concerning because Gateway Foundation's website deals with extremely sensitive health information. Visitors to gatewayfoundation.org are often researching substance abuse treatment, alcohol rehabilitation, drug addiction recovery programs, and mental health services. Sharing this browsing activity with third-party advertising platforms without consent could expose deeply personal information about a person's health struggles.
Status
Active Investigation
No lawsuit has been filed; attorneys are evaluating potential claims
Who May Qualify
gatewayfoundation.org visitors
Sought treatment via the website with a Google or Microsoft account
Location
All U.S. states
Estimated Recovery
Varies
No specific amount can be guaranteed at this stage
What is Gateway Foundation?
Gateway Foundation is one of the largest nonprofit addiction treatment organizations in the country. Founded in 1968, the organization is headquartered in Chicago, Illinois and has helped more than one million patients over its 50-plus year history. Gateway operates 16 treatment centers in Illinois and provides correctional treatment programs in eight states including Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, Texas, and Wyoming. The organization supports more than 9,000 patients per day.Gateway Foundation provides a full range of substance abuse and mental health treatment services, including residential treatment, partial hospitalization programs, intensive outpatient programs, outpatient treatment, withdrawal management (detox), sober living homes, virtual treatment through Gateway Connect, and alumni support programs. The organization treats men, women, young adults, and adolescents from diverse backgrounds, including individuals with co-occurring mental health disorders and those involved in the criminal justice system.
Gateway Foundation is accredited by the Joint Commission and is a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. Its clinical approach includes cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavior therapy, medication-assisted treatment, motivational interviewing, mindfulness therapy, and trauma-informed care.
Patients and prospective patients typically visit gatewayfoundation.org to research treatment options, learn about specific programs, find nearby locations, and contact the organization to begin the intake process. It is this online interaction with the website that is at the center of this investigation.
Why Is Tracking on an Addiction Treatment Website Especially Concerning?
The privacy stakes are higher when tracking technologies are used on healthcare and addiction treatment websites compared to a typical commercial website. When someone visits gatewayfoundation.org, they are often looking into drug and alcohol rehabilitation, researching treatment programs for themselves or a loved one, or seeking help during a crisis. This browsing activity can reveal that a person is struggling with addiction, a condition that carries significant social stigma.If tracking pixels on the Gateway Foundation website transmitted this browsing data to third-party platforms like Google or Microsoft, that information could potentially be used for targeted advertising, data profiling, or shared with other companies. A person who privately researched heroin addiction treatment or alcohol detox programs could then see related advertisements appear on their devices, potentially exposing their private health struggles to family members, employers, or anyone else who uses their computer or phone.
Federal and state privacy laws impose strict requirements on how healthcare-related information can be collected and shared. Substance abuse treatment records are subject to additional federal protections under 42 CFR Part 2, which provides even stricter confidentiality rules than HIPAA for addiction treatment information.
What Are Tracking Pixels and How Do They Work?
A tracking pixel is a tiny, invisible piece of code embedded on a website. When you visit a page that contains a tracking pixel, it can silently send detailed information about your visit to a third party. This can include what pages you viewed, what treatment programs you clicked on, how long you spent on each page, your IP address, your device information, and identifiers that can link your browsing activity to your personal Google or Microsoft account.Many websites use tracking pixels for advertising and analytics purposes. However, when a healthcare or addiction treatment website uses these tools without clearly informing visitors and obtaining their consent, it may violate federal and state privacy laws. The concern is that visitors to these websites have a reasonable expectation that their interest in addiction treatment will remain private.
Who May Qualify for This Investigation?
You may qualify if:You sought treatment from Gateway Foundation through their website (gatewayfoundation.org)
You had a Google or Microsoft account at the time you visited the website
This investigation applies to visitors from all U.S. states.
How Do I Find Out If I Qualify?
If you believe your privacy may have been compromised by visiting the Gateway Foundation website, you can submit your information for a free, no-obligation case evaluation. There is no cost to find out if you qualify.Free settlement alerts
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Is There a Lawsuit Filed Yet?
This is currently an active investigation. No lawsuit has been filed at this time. Attorneys are evaluating whether there are sufficient grounds to pursue a class action lawsuit. No court has made any determination regarding the merits of these potential claims. Gateway Foundation has not been found liable for any wrongdoing. The investigation is being conducted to determine whether legal claims may exist.What Could Compensation Look Like?
If the investigation leads to a filed lawsuit and a settlement or judgment is reached, individuals who qualify could potentially receive financial compensation. The amount of any potential recovery would depend on the specific facts of the case, the number of affected individuals, and the outcome of any legal proceedings. No specific amount of compensation can be guaranteed at this stage.Frequently Asked Questions
Does it cost anything to participate?
There is no cost to submit your information for evaluation. If attorneys pursue a case on your behalf, representation would typically be on a contingency fee basis, meaning you would not pay any legal fees unless there is a recovery.
What should I do to protect myself?
You can review your Google and Microsoft account privacy settings, clear your browser cookies, and consider using browser extensions that block tracking pixels. You may also want to check whether you have received targeted advertisements related to addiction treatment or rehabilitation services after visiting the Gateway Foundation website.
What laws may apply?
Depending on the specific facts, potential legal claims could involve the federal Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA), 42 CFR Part 2 (federal substance abuse treatment confidentiality regulations), state consumer protection statutes, state wiretapping laws, and other applicable federal and state privacy laws.
Sources
• Gateway Foundation Official Website• 42 CFR Part 2 — Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records
Important Legal Disclaimers
ATTORNEY ADVERTISING. This page is an advertisement. The information on this page is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by submitting information through this page. The content of this page should not be relied upon in making legal decisions. Prior results in similar investigations or cases do not guarantee a similar outcome. This investigation is not a filed lawsuit and no court has made any determination regarding the merits of any potential claims. The defendant has not been found liable for any wrongdoing. If you believe you have a legal claim, you should consult with a licensed attorney in your state. There are strict deadlines (statutes of limitations) by which you must file any potential claims. OpenClassActions.com is not a law firm, is not a claims administrator, and does not provide legal advice. OpenClassActions.com is a consumer advocacy and legal news website. By submitting information through any form on this page, you agree that an attorney or law firm may contact you to discuss your potential legal rights. You are under no obligation to retain any attorney who contacts you.
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