How Eligible Amazon Prime Customers can Claim Money from the $2.5 Billion Amazon Settlement

Amazon allegedly "enrolled tens of millions of customers in Amazon Prime subscriptions without their knowledge or consent," and "made it difficult for customers to cancel their Amazon Prime subscriptions." As a result, Amazon agreed to pay out $2.5 billion to eligible Amazon Prime customers.

Eligible Amazon Prime Customers: What You Can Expect

According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Amazon began sending claim notices to eligible Amazon Prime customers in January 2026.

Amazon is required to pay out $1.5 billion for refunds to customers that were affected by its "unlawful" Amazon Prime enrollment and cancellation practices and is also required to pay $1 billion civic penalty and stop the unlawful enrollment and cancellation practices (Source: FTC).

Requirements to Get a Refund from the Amazon Prime Settlement

Eligible Amazon Prime customers can receive up to $51.00 USD under the settlement agreement.

Here are the requirements to be eligible:

1. You are an Amazon Prime customer in the United States.

2. You signed up for Amazon Prime subscription through a "challenged enrollment flow" or tried to cancel through the online cancellation flow but were unable to do so between June 23, 2019 and June 23, 2025.

3. You used no more than (3) Amazon Prime benefits (including Prime Music or Prime Video products offered for free to Prime subscribers) in any 12-month period following Amazon Prime enrollment.

In January 2026, Amazon began sending claim notices to eligible Amazon Prime customers who did not receive an automatic refund from November 2025 to December 2025. The claim notice provides instructions on how to file a claim.

It is important to understand that the FTC will not ask or be involved with your refund, and if someone claiming to be from the FTC contacts you, this is likely a scammer.

If you are eligible, you will receive a claim form by mail or email.

On the claim form, the eligible Amazon Prime customer selects the method of how they would like their refund. It can be by check, PayPal or Venmo.

Joybird Owned by La-Z-Boy Agreed to Pay 7.15 Million in Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit in federal court in California, claiming that La-Z-Boy discounts are falsely advertised on its website joybird.com. In the lawsuit, the plaintiff alleges that the original prices being shown on the website are "false reference prices that no consumer pays." 

A Class Action Lawsuit was Filed Against La-Z-Boy 

Plaintiff Jeffrey Jacobs filed a class action lawsuit against La-Z-Boy - which owns joybird.com - after claiming in the lawsuit that "original" prices are being "falsely advertised" on the website, and that "no consumer pays these original prices."

This class action lawsuit is Jacobs v. La-Z-Boy Inc., Case No. 2:24-cv-04446 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Jeffrey Jacobs is represented by Todd D. Carpenter, Scott G. Braden and James B. Drimmer of Lynch Carpenter LLP.

Jacob states in the lawsuit, “The resulting artificial price disparity misleads consumers into believing the product they are buying has a higher market value, and it induces them into purchasing the product,” the La-Z-Boy class action says. “This practice artificially inflates the market price for these products by raising consumers’ internal reference price and in turn the perceived value consumers ascribe to these products.”

According to TopClassActions.com, the La-Z-Boy discounts are a violation of the California Unfair Competition Law, California's False Advertising Law, and California's Consumer Legal Remedies Act.

The class action lawsuit is asking for damages and restitution from La-Z-Boy's falsely earned profits, and injunctive relief against La-Z-Boy.

Jacob also states:

“This deceptive marketing practice gave consumers the false impression that the products were regularly sold on the market for a substantially higher price than they actually were; therefore, leading to the false impression that the products sold at joybird.com and Joybird retail stores were worth more than they actually were.”

La-Z-Boy Agreed to Pay $7.15 Million to Eligible Consumers

Joybird, (owned by La-Z-Boy) agreed to a $7.15 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve these claims. The settlement benefits consumers in the states California, Oregon, and Washington who purchased one or more La-Z-Boy products on Joybird.com or at a physical Joybird store location at a sale price between December 18, 2019 and October 31, 2025.

Eligible class members can receive a $115 benefit that can be redeemed as either a cash payment or a store credit voucher. Those that choose the store credit voucher must redeem the voucher within two years after distribution. The voucher can be redeemed online or in-store.

The deadline for exclusion and objection is February 13, 2026.

How to Sign up for the Joybird Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

How do I sign up for the Joybird La-Z-Boy class action settlement online?

The website with the claim form is found here. A screenshot of that website is seen below. A claim number and PIN will be required to log in, which you should have received by mail or e-mail.

Joybird Settlement website - https://jacobslazyboyjoybird.claims-administrator.com/

Are you eligible for the La-Z-Boy class action lawsuit settlement?

Email Notice to Consumers Who Made Payments Through the Google Play Store

The following is a legitimate email sent out to eligible class action lawsuit members regarding the $630 million Google Play settlement. 

Google Play $630 Million Class Action Settlement

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
State of Utah, et al. v. Google LLC, et al., Case No. 3:21-cv-05227-JD

NOTICE OF STATE ATTORNEYS GENERAL SETTLEMENT

Notice ID: 332212040

ATTENTION: CONSUMERS WHO MADE PAYMENTS THROUGH THE GOOGLE PLAY STORE

THIS IS A COURT-APPROVED NOTICE AND NOT A SOLICITATION FROM A LAWYER

Please read this Notice carefully. You are receiving this Notice because you may have paid for an app through the Google Play Store or paid for in-app content (including purchases in gaming apps, subscriptions, and ad-free versions of apps) through Google Play Billing between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023 (a "Qualifying Purchase"). For example, if you paid to download a game or made a purchase in an app downloaded from the Google Play Store, you may have important rights concerning the State Attorneys General lawsuit described below.

A proposed settlement has been reached in a consumer protection and antitrust lawsuit brought by the Attorneys General of all 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands ("State Attorneys General") against Google (the "Action").

The State Attorneys General claim that consumers paid too much to Google for apps and for purchases made in apps downloaded from the Google Play Store because Google monopolized app distribution on certain Android devices and in-app billing services. The State Attorneys General also claim that by monopolizing app distribution, Google reduced consumers' choices in apps. The State Attorneys General also claim that Google made misrepresentations to the public concerning the risks of getting apps from sources other than the Google Play Store and Google's billing policies for apps. Google denies any wrongdoing and denies the allegations in the Complaint.

The State Attorneys General brought this lawsuit in their parens patriae* capacity, on behalf of consumers who made Qualifying Purchases through Google Play Billing between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023, while living in any State, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.

As part of the settlement, a $630 million Settlement Fund will be established. The Fund will be used to pay consumers who made at least one Qualifying Purchase, as well as the costs of administering the Fund and attorneys' fees. Your share of the Fund will be at least $2 and may be more based on how much you paid for apps through the Google Play Store or for in-app content through Google Play Billing between August 16, 2016, and September 30, 2023, compared to the amount paid by all other consumers who made Qualifying Purchases.

You are receiving this Notice because Google's internal records show that you may have made a Qualifying Purchase using a Google payments profile with a "Legal Address" located in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands.

If the "Legal Address" listed in your Google payments profile at the time you made a Qualifying Purchase is in one of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the Virgin Islands, then you are a member of this Action and you are eligible to receive a payment from the Settlement Fund.

If you are covered by this Action, you may not have to do anything to receive a payment from the Settlement Fund. The Settlement Fund will make the majority of payments automatically, and no claim form is necessary in most cases. Once the Settlement has been approved by the Court, you will receive an email from PayPal or a text from Venmo notifying you of your incoming payment at the email address or mobile phone number associated with your Google Play account. If that email address or phone number is also associated with a PayPal or Venmo account, then the payment will be made directly to that account. If that email address or phone number does not match an email address or phone number associated with a PayPal or Venmo account, then you have the option to create a new account or redirect the payment to a PayPal or Venmo account at another email address or phone number.

If you (a) do not have an existing PayPal or Venmo account and do not want to sign up for PayPal or Venmo, (b) no longer have access to the email address or mobile phone number associated with your Google Play account, or (c) were expecting to receive a payment but did not, there will be a supplemental claims process after the automatic payments process is complete.

If you would like to be notified by email when the supplemental claims process starts, you may submit your name, email address, and mobile phone number at www.GooglePlayStateAGAntitrustLitigation.com.

By receiving money, you will give up any rights to sue, or continue to sue, Google separately over the claims at issue in this Action.

Objections to the $630 Class Action Google Play Lawsuit

If you want to object to the Settlement, then you must file a written objection on or before February 19, 2026. To learn more about the process for making objections, go to www.GooglePlayStateAGAntitrustLitigation.com.

If you do not want to receive a payment from the Settlement Fund and you want to bring your own case against Google, then you must submit a request to be excluded on or before February 19, 2026. To learn more about or to submit a request for exclusion, go to www.GooglePlayStateAGAntitrustLitigation.com.

An administrator appointed by the Court is sending this Summary Notice. To view the full Notice approved by the Court, and for more information about the Action, including certain important Court filings, go to www.GooglePlayStateAGAntitrustLitigation.com or contact the Notice Administrator at 1-866-905-8127 or by email to info@GooglePlayStateAGAntitrustLitigation.com.

BY ORDER OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The preceding email refers to a website, but doesn't ask you to take any action to join the class action lawsuit, because they already know who has a Google Play account and who is eligible.

That is a big indicator that this is a real and legitimate email. 

Are you entitled to $300 USD in the KitchenAid Whirlpool Maytag Class Action Lawsuit Settlement?

Whirlpool has agreed to pay affected consumers in a class action lawsuit settlement after certain models of their fridges sold under three different brands (Whirlpool, Maytag & KitchenAid) developed a frost build-up that interferes with cooling, resulting in costly repairs.

Whirlpool KitchenAid Maytag Class Action Lawsuit

The U.S. Sun reported that Whirlpool has agreed to pay up to $300 USD to consumers who purchased one of their refrigerators starting in 2012. More details on the specific date range are provided below.

Whirlpool has not admitted any wrongdoing in the class action lawsuit settlement but has agreed to pay an undisclosed total sum to eligible consumers.

Class members receive up to $300 USD for repairs and 75% of the original price if the refrigerator is between 1-3 years old.

Details of the Whirlpool KitchenAid Maytag Class Action Settlement 

The class action lawsuit settlement will compensate consumers who purchased certain Whirlpool, KitchenAid, and Maytag refrigerators sold between 2012 and 2019, which were affected by a manufacturing defect that caused excessive frost to accumulate on the evaporator. The serial numbers of the defective models are provided by the manufacturer.

Consumers have been told to check whether their appliance is eligible for searching for its serial number on the settlement website. Class members can receive up to $300 for past refrigerator repairs and replacements, under the settlement terms.

Official Whirlpool Class Action Lawsuit Claim Form Website Information

In the class action lawsuit, Paperno v. Whirlpool Corp., consumers who file a claim may be entitled to cash compensation. The official settlement claim website is here.

The official claim website states:

"Submitting a claim form is the only way to seek benefits relating to a Class Refrigerator that experienced Frost Clog Issues prior to January 31, 2025. Your deadline to submit a claim form is June 18, 2025. For eligible Frost Clog Issue repairs needed after January 31, 2025, you must submit your Claim Form within 90 days of the date of the completion of service on the Frost Clog Issue."

The deadline for consumers to file a claim is June 18, 2025.

The deadline for exclusion and objection was March 21.

The final approval hearing was May 13.

Consumers may be Entitled to Cash Payment in the HexClad $2.5 Million Class Action Lawsuit Settlement, More Details

Did you purchase a Hexclad cookware product after February 1, 2022? If so, you may be entitled to cash from a class action lawsuit settlement against HexClad cookware.

Hexclad Class Action Lawsuit settlement

$2.5 Million Hexclad Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

HexClad has agreed to pay cash to customers in a $2.5 million class action lawsuit settlement to resolve false claims that its cookware was free from toxic chemicals, such as polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA).

The lawsuit is: Cliburn v. One Source to Market, LLC dba Hexclad Cookware, Inc.

Allegations in the Lawsuit Against Hexclad

In the lawsuit, HexClad customers claimed in the class action lawsuit that the company's products are not as safe as they seem. According to the class action lawsuit settlement filed by the plaintiff, HexClad cookware does allegedly contain toxic chemicals, such as PFAS and PFOA, despite being advertised as being free from these toxic chemicals. 

According to the class action lawsuit, HexClad's "false and misleading representations and omissions" are material and would likely deceive reasonable consumers.

Unsurprisingly, HexClad has not admitted any wrongdoing but has agreed to pay $2.5 million to resolve the allegations. 

The class action lawsuit settlement will pay cash to consumers who purchased one or more eligible HexClad products between Feb. 1, 2022, and March 31, 2024.

If you purchased a HexClad cookware product during this period, visit the official claim form online to join the class action lawsuit settlement. Consumers who want to be eligible to receive a cash payment must do so by November 15, 2025.

Proof of purchase is not required for consumers who submit a claim for one or two products, but consumers submitting a claim for 3 or more products must provide a receipt or proof of purchase.

The deadline for exclusions and objections is August 5, 2025.

The final approval hearing for HexClad is September 15, 2025.

Find Out if You are Entitled to Settlement Money From Apple Class Action Lawsuit Involving Siri 'Recording Without Consent'

Per U.S. District Court case Lopez v. Apple Inc., if you owned or purchased a Siri enabled device and experienced an unintended Siri activation during a confidential or private communication between September 17, 2014, and December 31, 2024, you should read this notice as it may impact your legal rights.

Class Action Lawsuit against Apple Inc. related to Siri

Have you ever noticed a smart device activate without you saying the wake word?

It happens. One person filed a lawsuit against Apple Inc. after discovering that Siri recorded their private conversations without consent.

Apple Agrees to Pay Settlement in U.S. District Court Case

Here's what happened:

Apple agreed to pay out a class action settlement on Dec. 31, 2024, due to a lawsuit filed by California resident Funiko Lopez, who claimed in the lawsuit that "Siri conducted unlawful and intentional interception and recording of individuals' confidential communications with their consent and subsequent unauthorized disclosure of those communications."

The court case Lopez v. Apple Inc. states:

"Apple intentionally, willfully, and knowingly violated consumers' privacy rights, including within the sanctity of consumers' own homes where they have the greatest expectation of privacy...Plaintiffs and Class Members would not have bought their Siri Devices or would have paid less for them, if they had known Apple was intercepting, recording, disclosing, and otherwise misusing their conversations without consent or authorization."

Apple agreed to the settlement on Dec. 31, 2024, but "denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit and denies that [they] did anything improper or unlawful."

Who is Eligible to File a Claim in the Class Action Lawsuit?

Anyone in the U.S. who owned or purchased an Apple device between September 17, 2024, and December 31, 2024, and enabled Siri during that time period is eligible to file a claim before July 2, 2025.

You would receive a notice in the mail or by email with a Claimant ID Code and Confirmation Code. You would take this information from your notice and go to this page online to submit your information.

Below is a screenshot of the Submit Claim page.

Lopez v. Apple Inc. Submit Claim page

Additional Details from Lopez v. Apple Inc. Class Action Lawsuit

The official website of the class action lawsuit states:

• A settlement has been reached with Apple Inc. (“Apple”) in a class action lawsuit brought on behalf of current or former owners or purchasers of a Siri-enabled iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook, iMac, HomePod, iPod touch, or Apple TV (“Siri Device/Devices”) whose confidential or private communications were allegedly obtained by Apple and/or shared with third parties as a result of an unintended Siri activation.  Apple denies all of the allegations made in the lawsuit and denies that Apple did anything improper or unlawful.
• The Settlement provides for a $95 million fund for payments to Settlement Class Members who are individual current or former owners or purchasers of a Siri Device, who reside in the United States or its territories, and whose confidential communications were obtained by Apple and/or were shared with third parties as a result of an unintended Siri activation.  The Settlement Class excludes Apple; any entity in which Apple has a controlling interest; Apple’s directors, officers, and employees; Apple’s legal representatives, successors, and assigns.  Also excluded from the Settlement Class are all judicial officers assigned to this case as well as their staff and immediate families.  The Class Period is September 17, 2014 to December 31, 2024. 
• If you believe you are a Settlement Class Member, you must submit a valid Claim Form to get a payment from the Settlement. Settlement Class Members may submit claims for up to five Siri Devices on which they claim to have experienced an unintended Siri activation during a conversation intended to be confidential or private.  Settlement Class Members who submit valid claims shall receive a pro rata portion of the Net Settlement Amount for a Class Payment of up to a cap of $20 per Siri Device. The amount available to Settlement Class Members will increase or decrease pro rata depending on the total number of valid claims submitted, and Siri Devices claimed.   Depending on the total number of valid claims, this Plan of Allocation is subject to modification by agreement of the Parties without further notice to Settlement Class Members, provided any such modification is approved by the Court. The final amount will not be known until all claims are evaluated.  Please see the information in the Notice concerning payments.
• If you received an email or postcard with a Claim Identification Code and a Confirmation Code notifying you about the Settlement, use these codes when making a claim.   If you did not receive an email or postcard about the Settlement and don’t have these codes but believe you are a member of the Settlement Class, you may still make a claim by going to the Submit a Claim page to make a claim and following the instruction on how to submit a Claim Form.
• You can also opt out of or object to the Settlement.

Capital One is Now Paying $190 Million in Class-Action Settlement to Eligible U.S. Residents for 2019 Data Breach

Capital One is paying out $190 million to customers who were affected by identity theft or fraud as a result of the 2019 Capital One data breach.

Capital One by Maryland GovPics, CC BY 2.0 Deed

Capital One agreed to pay a $190 million settlement to customers who opted-in to the settlement by the deadline as a result of a 2019 data breach, and those payments are going out now through November 27, 2023.

If you don’t receive a payment by November 27, then you will not be receiving one.

Capital One 2019 Data Breach Class-Action Settlement

WGAL 8 News reported that emails started going out late last week (the third week of October 2023) to the victims of the 2019 Capital One data breach. The email states exactly how much each member is getting paid in the class-action settlement.

It can vary by how each victim was affected in terms of financial losses, time lost, and identity defense services used.

One person was paid $707 after receiving a confirmation email of payment from ‘noreply@epiqpay.com’ — which means that they opted-in to the settlement by the deadline.

What Happened in 2019?

The Washington Examiner reported that in 2019, a hacker gained access to the personal information of approximately 98 million Capital One users. Capital One announced in July 2019 that it was the victim of a criminal cyberattack on its systems.

Consumers brought numerous lawsuits against Capital One as a result of this data breach, and the lawsuits were overseen by Judge Anthony J. Trenga of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia

$190 Million Class-Action Settlement Agreed Upon

After a lengthy mediation process, both sides agreed to the settlement amount and the court granted final approval for a $190 million class-action settlement on September 13, 2022, to pay the out-of-pocket losses, lost time, identity defense services, account restoration services, and other expenses approved by the court.

The deadlines to file a claim with the Capital One Class Action Settlement were:

• Filing a claim for lost time: September 30, 2022
• Filing a claim for out-of-pocket losses: September 30, 2022
• Filing a claim for identity defense services: September 30, 2022

If you filed a claim by the deadline, you are a “class member” and you would have received a notice with a Unique ID and PIN required to file a Claim Form.

If you are unsure if you are a class member, you can get confirmation by calling 1–855–604–1811 or emailing the plan administrator at:

If you joined this class action settlement by the deadline, payment will be sent by November 27, 2023, by check or digital payment.

Sources

Capital One Data Breach Class Action Settlement website.

Roche, Brian. “Victims paid in Capital One settlement.” WGAL 8 News. 25 October 2023.

Schilke, Rachel. “Class-action settlement: Capital One customers have less than a month to claim payment from $190 million settlement.” Washington Examiner. 24 October 2023.

Summary: This article is about the 2019 Capital One data breach and the customers affected by it, resulting in a Class-action Settlement.

Johnson & Johnson Aveeno Neutrogena Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Awards $1.75 Million

 

Aveeno Neutrogena aerosol sunscreen spray

Large consumer brand Johnson & Johnson has agreed to pay out $1.75 million in vouchers as a result of a class action settlement from claims that Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreen spray products were contaminated with a cancer ingredient (Benzene), known as carcinogens.

If you purchased certain Aveeno or Neutrogena sunscreen products between May 26, 2015 and April 8, 2022, you are entitled to participate in this class action settlement lawsuit.

Neutrogena Beach Defense Aerosol spray (pictured without oxybenzone)

Johnson & Johnson Aveeno Neutrogena Aerosol Spray Containing Benzene

The products containing Benzene were:

• Aveeno Baby Continuous Protection Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Lotion
• Aveeno Protect + Refresh Aerosol Sunscreen
• Neutrogena Beach Defense Aerosol Sunscreen
• Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport Aerosol Sunscreen
• Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Aerosol Sunscreen
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant Sunscreen Lotion
• Neutrogena Sheer Zinc Dry-Touch Face Sunscreen Lotion

If you used these Johnson & Johnson Aveeno Neutrogena aerosol sunscreen spray products between May 26, 2015, and April 8, 2022, you are eligible to participate in this class action settlement lawsuit. If you have these products in your home that were purchased between these dates, stop using them immediately! They have been found to contain Benzene carcinogens that cause cancer.

Johnson & Johnson Aveeno Neutrogena Voluntary Product Recall in July 2021

In July 2021, Johnson & Johnson issued a recall of aerosol sunscreen spray products of the brands listed above after third-party testing found that the cancer ingredient, Benzene was present. Johnson & Johnson admitted on their website that these products may not be safe for use. Benzene is known to cause leukemia and lymphoma, which are blood-related cancers. 

Consumers that used these products understood that they were put at risk of getting these blood cancers by Johnson & Johnson's products marketed under the brands, Aveeno and Neutrogena. Consumers took legal action against the company, as they rightfully believed that it was dangerous for Johnson & Johnson to sell contaminated aerosol spray sunscreen products.

If you want to participate in this settlement and receive benefits, you must submit a valid claim form by the deadline: July 7, 2022. 

The final approval hearing for this settlement is currently scheduled for: August 12, 2022.

The website to file a claim is: SunProductSettlement.com

Johnson & Johnson Public Recall Statement

On July 14, 2021, Johnson & Johnson released a statement regarding benzene found in Aveeno and Neutrogena aerosol spray sunscreens.

According to their own admission on their website:

"Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, a substance that could potentially cause cancer depending on the level and extent of exposure. Benzene is ubiquitous in the environment. Humans around the world have daily exposure indoors and outdoors from multiple sources. Benzene can be absorbed, to varying degrees by inhalation, through the skin, and orally. Based on exposure modeling and the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) framework, daily exposure to benzene in these aerosol sunscreen products at the levels detected in our testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences. Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling all lots of these specific aerosol sunscreen products."

The intelligent consumer may read this and ask: Did Johnson & Johnson test and market these products with the knowledge that benzene was present?

Have you used these products?

If you have used or have been in contact with a person that used these aerosol spray sunscreen products and have experienced an adverse reaction, you are encouraged to report your event to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at this website:

www.fda.gov/medwatch/report.htm

Click the red button that says, "Report a Problem."

FDA Reporting website

Is Lawsuit Settlement Income Taxable?

Is Lawsuit Settlement Income taxable?

The IRS considers lawsuit settlement income taxable.Taxable? Personal injury settlements are the exception to this. If you specifically receive a personal injury settlement, then the money is not taxable.

Sources:

Johnson & Johson website. "Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific Neutrogena and Aveeno Aerosol Sunscreen Products Due to the Presence of Benzene." 14 July 2021.

$92 Million TikTok Settlement Payment and Class Action Lawsuit

 

TikTok Settlement Payment

$92 Million TikTok Class Action Lawsuit Settlement

TikTok is facing the clock after an Illinois federal judge approved a $92 Million USD settlement for its users that filed class-action lawsuits. Anyone that filed to join this class action lawsuit before the deadline will receive a TikTok settlement payment.

TikTok Case over Unlawful Collection of Users' Biometric Data

The settlement case information:

In re: TikTok Inc. Consumer Privacy Litigation, Case No. 1:20-cv-04699, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

The Illinois federal judge believes that the proposed $92 million USD settlement payment sufficiently resolves the accusations that TikTok was collecting biometric data unlawfully. 

What will people get who filed claims against TikTok?

TikTok users that filed a claim in this $92 Million USD class action settlement will get an equal share in the settlement cash after administrative fees and costs have been taken out.

Who can file a claim, and when is the deadline and hearing date for the TikTok settlement?

People that qualify are considered "class members" and this includes TikTok users who are residents in the United States that used the TikTok app before September 20, 2021. Any class member that is also an Illinois resident may qualify for an increased amount of settlement payment, by as much as six times the amount of someone that is not an Illinois resident.

The deadline for the settlement payment is March 1, 2022. The final approval for this TikTok settlement payment will take place during the hearing currently scheduled on May 18, 2022.

How will I receive my TikTok cash settlement payment?

If you successfully submitted a claim form by the March 1, 2022 deadline, then you should expect to receive your cash payment via PayPal, Venom, a virtual prepaid card, or by a physical check in the mail. Your preferred payment method was provided on the settlement application.

What was the legal issue with TikTok privacy policies?

The litigation against TikTok involved their privacy policies. The claims were that TikTok unlawfully collected users' biometric and personal data in 2021. 

TikTok asserts that users waived their rights in the agreed-upon terms of service, or privacy policies, and have therefore done nothing wrong.

TikTok Privacy Policy Changed

TikTok agreed to stop collecting users' biometric data, geolocation, and GPS data with their app and storing this data outside the U.S. after the $92 million USD settlement payment from the class action lawsuit. TikTok revised its privacy policies.

TikTok was accused of sharing users' biometric data with the Chinese government, while TikTok denied this was taking place.

The class-action lawsuit is against TikTok and its predecessor app, Musical.ly.

Why Did I Receive B Settlement Payment from Bumble?

 

Bumble B Settlement Payment

What is the B Settlement PayPal or Venmo Payment?

On March 4, 2021 many people received a mysterious B Settlement payment into their PayPal or Venmo account for $36.89 if you opted into the Bumble Boost settlement class-action lawsuit, which required you to give your contact information, including a method for electronic payment or to receive a paper check in the mail. If you received this payment, it is because you signed up for the class action settlement at some point, and it means that you used the Bumble app at some point in the past.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Nathanael M. Cousins gave Bumble and subscriber plaintiffs preliminary approval for a proposed class action settlement worth $22.5 million. Judge Cousins determined that, upon preliminary examination of the settlement terms, the deal appears "fair, reasonable, and adequate," agreeing with the plaintiffs' assertion that the recovery is an "excellent" outcome. (Source: TopClassActions.com)

As a result, PayPal or Venmo would have notified you around March 4, 2021 that you received payment from "B Settlement."

Notification from Paypal for B Settlement

Why did Bumble have a Class-Action Lawsuit against them?

It all has to do with the Bumble Boost subscription.

The class-action lawsuit alleges that Bumble's Terms & Conditions failed to notify subscribers of the legal right to cancel their Bumble Boost subscription and obtain a refund within three (3) business days of purchase in violation of certain consumer protection laws, that may apply to all of Bumble's Boost users nationwide. The case also alleges that for certain users in California, Bumble's auto-renewal practices violate California law. Bumble vigorously denies these allegations and does not admit fault.

There are two Settlement Agreement groups of people that are included in this Bumble class-action lawsuit:

1) The (New York) Nationwide Class includes all persons in the United States who purchased Bumble Boost at any time between November 13, 2014 and July 15, 2020. This is referred to as the "DSL Settlement Class" in the Settlement Agreement. Note: Anybody that qualified and signed up for just this B settlement agreement would have received $36.89 payment to their PayPal or Venmo account around March 4, 2021.

2) The California Class includes all persons who purchased Bumble Boost, within California, at any time between November 13, 2014 and July 15, 2020, and had their credit card, debit card, and/or a third-party payment account charged as part of Bumble's automatic renewal program or continuous service program. This is referred to as the "ARL Settlement Class" in the B Settlement Agreement. California class members would each have received a payment amount between $43 and $85.

If you are in both the Nationwide Class as well as the California Class, you will receive payments from both classes if you have made a valid claim. 

The deadline to file a claim was November 23, 2020.

What does the Bumble Boost Class Action Settlement Agreement Provide?

The Bumble Boost Subscription class-action settlements established a $22.5 million USD fund, which will be used to pay Settlement Class Members (described above) after deductions for amounts that the Court may approve for notice and administration of the Settlement attorney's fees and expenses and service awards for the Class Representatives.

Below is a chart of your legal rights in the Bumble Boost Class-Action Lawsuit:

Your Legal Rights to Submit a Claim against Bumble