CHARLESTON— A South Carolina family has filed a federal lawsuit against Delta Air Lines (DL) following a disturbing discovery involving a lost iPad.
The device, left behind on a flight from Charleston International Airport (CHS) to John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), allegedly ended up in the hands of a uniformed airline contractor who recorded explicit content on it.
The family tracked the missing iPad using Apple’s “Find My” app and later found graphic videos of a man—believed to be associated with Delta—on their child’s iCloud account. The incident has led to allegations of privacy violation, negligence, and emotional distress.
Photo: Andrew E. CohenDelta Passenger Filed Lawsuit
Tory and Brooke Brewer traveled with their children on a Delta Air Lines (DL) flight from Charleston (CHS) to New York City’s JFK Airport (JFK) on July 19, 2023. Their journey continued on a connecting flight to London Heathrow (LHR).
After arriving in London, the family realized their child’s iPad—distinctive with a Peppa Pig case—had been left in the seat pocket.
Soon after, Brooke Brewer began receiving suspicious messages related to the missing iPad. Using the “Find My” app, she located the device in Queens/Jamaica, New York.
Although her Apple ID had been logged out of the device, new images and videos continued to sync with the family’s iCloud account.
Among the synced content were selfies of a man wearing a Delta uniform with a visible name badge, although his identity remains undisclosed in the lawsuit.
Notably, on August 27, 2023, over a month after the flight, sexually explicit videos began uploading to the child’s iCloud account. These videos allegedly showed the same uniformed individual engaging in explicit acts while still in Delta attire.
Photo: By Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland – Delta Connection Canadair CRJ700; N603QX@SLC;09.10.2011/621ds, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26713188Device Misuse and Account Breach
The family’s attorney, Tola Familoni, emphasized the severity of the breach: a child’s lost device was used to access not just photos, but also private accounts.
According to the complaint, the individual accessed Brooke Brewer’s iTunes account, created a personal profile, and even infiltrated their Amazon account, creating a profile labeled “Gay”—which one of the Brewer children later discovered.
Delta was notified of a lost item report on July 20, a day after the original flight. However, the family claims they received no response until an automated message followed a second report weeks later.
In the meantime, explicit content had already been uploaded, triggering a privacy nightmare for the Brewers.
Delta’s Response and Legal Implications
Delta stated that the individual seen in the explicit content was not their direct employee but worked for an unnamed vendor company. The airline emphasized a “zero tolerance” policy for unlawful behavior but declined further comment, citing ongoing litigation.
The Brewers are now seeking damages and accountability. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Charleston, accuses Delta and its vendor of negligence, invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and harassment.
The family’s attorney criticized Delta’s failure to acknowledge their role, even privately, in the mishandling of the incident.
“We hope Delta will step up and take responsibility,” Familoni told The Guardian, stressing the psychological toll the event has taken on the young family.
Representative Photo: United AirlinesAirline Security and Vendor Accountability
This case raises broader concerns about device security and airline accountability, especially when third-party contractors are involved.
While Delta has distanced itself from the individual in question, the lawsuit asserts that Delta remains responsible for the actions of those representing its brand, whether directly employed or outsourced.
Airlines typically rely on contracted staff for cleaning and ground operations, but clear policies and background checks are essential to prevent such breaches.
The incident underscores the importance of timely responses to lost property reports and transparent follow-up processes.
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