B. LYNN WINMILL, Chief Judge.
Pursuant to the Court's CMO, the parties reached out to the Law Clerk assigned to this case for assistance in resolving some discovery disputes. Counsel diligently participated in two informal conference calls with the Law Clerk. During those calls, the parties resolved the majority of their differences. Only one minor discovery issue remains — the manner in which counsel may contact customers who entered into a borrowed vehicle agreement ("BVA"). The parties have filed short briefs on the issue, and the matter is now ripe for the Court to resolve.
This Court has often recognized significant privacy concerns for third parties who have no involvement in a case. "Federal Courts ordinarily recognize a constitutionally-based right of privacy that can be raised in response to discovery requests." Soto v. City of Concord, 162 F.R.D. 603, 616 (N.D.Cal.1995) (citing Breed v. United States Dist. Ct. for Northern District, 542 F.2d 1114, 1116 (9th Cir.1976). Resolution of a privacy objection requires a balancing of the need for the information sought against the privacy right asserted. Id., 162 F.R.D. at 616.
Here, customers who entered into a BVA with Camp Automotive have a privacy interest in that information. Although on its face there is nothing particularly concerning about a customer having his/her BVA made public, there is a privacy interest nonetheless. Accordingly, the Court must balance that privacy interest with Plaintiffs' need for the information.
Plaintiffs suggest they need to communicate with other customers who entered into BVAs to show that Camp Automotive had a "broken process." Only customers who have complaints or other issues with the BVA process would potentially have relevant information. That is why, as discussed at the informal mediation, a letter to the customers offering them the opportunity to contact counsel if they would like to discuss the matter is sufficient. The only question is how much to tell the customers in the letter, and the process for having them contact counsel.
The Court finds that Camp Automotive's letter, with some modifications, will adequately protect the privacy interest of the customers while giving the customer an opportunity to discuss their BVA with counsel. However, the Court agrees with Plaintiffs that some context needs to be provided to the customer so they can intelligently decide whether they have any information which may bear upon the subject of the lawsuit. In addition, it appears to the Court that the customer may wish to speak to only the attorney for the Plaintiffs or only the attorney for Camp Automotive, or both. Although the Court understands Defendants' concerns here, the Court finds that not giving the customers that option may chill their willingness to talk with anyone. Accordingly, the Court approves the following letter, which is largely based upon Camp Automotive's proposed letter:
With regard to whether the letter should go only to store no. 52 customers (the store where Plaintiffs entered into a BVA) or store nos. 51 and 109 as well, the Court finds that it should go to all of them. First, the Court notes that we are only dealing with a short window of time — the two month period between May 1, 2013 and July 1, 2013. Thus, the number of customers is limited. Moreover, although Plaintiffs did not enter into a BVA with the other two stores, the close connection between the stores is enough to make any customer complaints about a BVA potentially relevant. "Relevant information need not be admissible at the trial if the discovery appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence." Fed. R. Civ. P. 26(b)(1).