$9M Buzzfeed Data Privacy Video Streaming Settlement
Unsplash | Updated: December 1, 2024
Claim Form Deadline: Passed
Payout Amount: $8.00
Proof required: No
What's the Buzzfeed Class Action Settlement?
A $9 million class action settlement has been reached with Buzzfeed over allegations that it violated some of its users data privacy rights. Buzzfeed, founded in 2006, is a very popular website and internet media company known for its viral content, including quizzes and listicles. The Buzzfeed class action is closed to new claims as of February 2025. You can find more class actions here.
The Buzzfeed class action lawsuit alleges that Buzzfeed violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by disclosing personally identifiable information (PII) to Facebook through Facebook's Meta Pixel without obtaining user consent first. Under the VPPA, PII is defined as information that identifies an individual as having requested or obtained specific video materials or services from a video tape service provider.
The VPPA, originally enacted in 1988, prohibits video tape service providers from knowingly disclosing PII concerning any consumer without their consent, with some exceptions. While the law was initially created to protect privacy in video rental records, it has been adapted to address modern digital privacy concerns, including online video streaming and data sharing practices.
In recent years, there has been an increase in VPPA-related lawsuits targeting companies that offer video content on websites and mobile applications, such as a Bleacher Report VPPA class action settlement that was agreed to for $4.8 million. These cases often involve allegations of sharing consumer information with third parties, such as data analytics companies, through tracking and data collection tools.
How Do I Qualify for a Payout?
You may qualify if you were a logged-in account holder or digital newsletter subscriber to a BuzzFeed website and accessed a video on a BuzzFeed site while a tracking pixel was operational between May 16, 2021 and November 10, 2023.
How Do I Find Class Action Settlements?
Find all the latest class actions you can qualify for by getting notified of new lawsuits as soon as they are open to claims:
How Much Can I Get?
Buzzfeed has agreed to pay out and establish a total settlement fund of $9,000,000. This fund will be used to cover expenses and distributions of payments to valid Buzzfeed settlement class members. Those who file a valid claim form on time can receive cash at an estimated $8.00 per claim, as well as a free one-year subscription to BuzzFeed+ (worth an estimated $35.88/year).
How Do I File a Claim?
If you believe you qualify based on the requirements above, you can file a claim either online, or you can print and mail it in.
Do I Need Proof to File a Claim?
The Buzzfeed settlement will ask you for a unique ID, which can be obtained by entering your BuzzFeed account email address on the settlement website. However, if you cannot find your Notice ID, you can still submit a paper claim form.
You can download and print the Claim Form from the settlement website. Complete the form and mail it to the designated address provided in the instructions. Ensure that your Claim Form is postmarked by the claim filing deadline. This option allows you to participate in the settlement even if you do not have your Unique ID. The class action deadline should be listed in any email or notice you personally received from the Buzzfeed class action administrators.
Filing Class Action Settlement Claims
Please note that your claim form will be rejected if you submit a settlement claim for payout with any fraudulent information. By providing this information and your sworn statement of its veracity, you agree to do so under the penalty of perjury. You would also be harming others that actually qualify for the class action settlement. If you are not sure whether or not you qualify for this class action settlement, visit the class action administrator's website below. OpenClassActions.com is only providing information and is not a class action administrator or a law firm. OpenClassActions is a participant in the Amazon affiliate advertising program and this post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission or fees if you make a purchase via those links.
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