DirectToU VPPA Video Privacy $1.577M Class Action Settlement
By Steve Levine
Published: November 28, 2025
Settlement Amount: $1,577,000
Claim Form Deadline: January 20, 2026
Proof required: Yes
If you ever grabbed a cheap Blu ray from DeepDiscount, ordered a rare movie from Movies Unlimited, picked up a videogame through PopMarket or WowHD, or even bought from marketplace sellers like DeepDiscount on Amazon or importcds on eBay, you might be owed money from a new $1.577 million video privacy settlement.
The class action lawsuit claims these brands used tracking tools that tied you to the exact movies or games you viewed or purchased, then shared that information with third parties without proper consent under the Video Privacy Protection Act. Defendants deny the allegations but agreed to the settlement to avoid further litigation.
Who is DirectToU and how did consumers actually interact with it?
Most people who are part of this settlement never saw the corporate name DirectToU. Instead, they interacted with consumer facing brands and marketplace storefronts that sit on top of DirectToU and Alliance Entertainment. DirectToU is a backend distributor and retailer that sells DVDs, Blu rays, 4K titles, and videogames through a network of branded sites and third party marketplaces. Those include:DeepDiscount.com, CriticsChoiceVideo.com, MoviesUnlimited.com, CCVideo.com, Collectors’ Choice, PopMarket.com, WowHD.com, and related entertainment brands. Consumers also encountered DirectToU through marketplace stores on Amazon, Walmart, Target, and eBay, where the seller name appeared as DeepDiscount, PopMarket, MovieMars, Blowitoutahere, importcds, ccvideo, wowhd, or similar storefront names.
When someone ordered a DVD, Blu ray, or videogame from these sites or seller accounts, DirectToU handled the order in the background. When they signed up for email newsletters, release alerts, back in stock notices, or price drop notifications about videos or videogames, their email and viewing activity were stored by DirectToU. The lawsuit claims that this information, combined with web tracking tools like the Facebook Pixel, identified individual people as having requested or obtained specific video titles and then sent that data to third parties.
What is the Total Settlement Amount?
The settlement creates a $1,577,000 cash fund. This fund will be used to pay:• Class member payments.
• Notice and administration costs.
• Court approved attorney fees and expenses.
• Any service awards approved for the class representatives.
How Do I Qualify For a Payout?
You may be part of the settlement if you meet the following criteria:• You reside in the United States.
• You purchased a video or videogame from DirectToU or signed up to receive notices about videos or videogames from DirectToU. This includes purchases or sign ups through consumer facing brands such as DeepDiscount, Movies Unlimited, Critics Choice Video, CCVideo, Collectors’ Choice, PopMarket, WowHD, and marketplace storefronts operated by these brands on Amazon, Walmart, Target, or eBay.
• Information that identified you as having requested or obtained specific video materials or services from Defendants may have been disclosed to a third party during the settlement period.
The time periods are:
• Nationwide class: August 8, 2022 through September 22, 2025.
• California subclass: August 8, 2020 through September 22, 2025 for California residents who meet the same criteria.
How Did Consumers Sign Up or End Up in DirectToU’s Lists?
Consumers could have been swept into this settlement through several common actions on these entertainment sites:• Making a purchase of a DVD, Blu ray, 4K title, or videogame from DeepDiscount, Movies Unlimited, Critics Choice Video, CCVideo, PopMarket, WowHD, Collectors’ Choice, or their marketplace storefronts on Amazon, Walmart, Target, and eBay where those names appeared as the seller.
• Creating a customer account on one of these sites.
• Signing up for newsletters about new releases, deals, or exclusive offers.
• Clicking “Notify me” or “back in stock” alerts and entering an email address for specific titles.
• Leaving a marketing checkbox checked at checkout that authorized emails or release notices.
The VPPA claims center around the idea that once a consumer did any of these things, DirectToU and Alliance allegedly allowed tracking tools to share data that linked the consumer’s identity and contact information with the exact videos or games they viewed or ordered.
How Much Can I Get Paid?
Payments will be made on a pro rata basis, meaning every approved class member will receive an equal share of the net settlement fund after fees, costs, and service awards are deducted. Based on similar privacy cases and projected claim rates, Class Counsel estimate that individual payouts may fall in the range of about $60 to $145. The actual amount could be higher or lower depending on how many valid claims are filed.How Do I File a Claim?
To receive a payment you must submit a claim form by the deadline:• File online at the official settlement website, which is the fastest and most secure method. You will confirm your contact information and attest that you meet the class definition.
• If you prefer, you can download and print a paper claim form from the same site, complete it, and mail it to the settlement administrator at the address listed in the official notice.
What is the Claim Form Deadline?
The claim form deadline is January 20, 2026. Online claims must be submitted by that date and mailed claims must be postmarked by that date.Key Deadlines and Important Dates
• Claim submission deadline: January 20, 2026.
• Opt out (exclusion) deadline: January 20, 2026.
• Objection deadline: January 20, 2026.
• Final Approval Hearing: January 28, 2026
When will the settlement be paid?
If the Court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved, payments are expected to go out approximately 45 days after the settlement becomes final. Payments can be issued as a check or by digital options like prepaid Mastercard, Venmo, Zelle, or PayPal, depending on what you choose on the claim form. Checks will expire if not cashed within 180 days of issuance.Is Proof Required to File a Claim?
The notice states that class members do not need to upload receipts or detailed proof to file a claim. Eligibility will be verified using DirectToU’s customer and subscription records. You will still need to provide accurate contact information and certify under penalty of perjury that your information is true and correct.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:What are my Options?
• Submit a claim form by January 20, 2026 if you want to receive a payment and you qualify.
• Do nothing and remain in the Settlement Class. You will not receive a payment, and you will give up your right to sue DirectToU or Alliance separately over the same issues covered by this case.
• Exclude yourself by January 20, 2026 if you want to keep your right to sue Defendants on your own. You will not receive any money from this settlement if you opt out.
• Object by January 20, 2026 if you stay in the Class but want to tell the Court you disagree with any part of the settlement. You can only object if you do not opt out.
Claim Form Website: VPPASettlement.com
Submit Claim
Official Settlement Notice
Sources
• Official Settlement Website: www.VPPASettlement.com• U.S. District Court, N.D. Cal., Jonathan Hoang To et al. v. DirectToU, LLC and Alliance Entertainment, LLC, Case No. 3:24-cv-06447
Filing Class Action Settlement Claims
Please submit only truthful information. False or fraudulent claims can be rejected and may carry penalties. If you are unsure whether you qualify, review the official notice or contact the settlement administrator or Class Counsel. OpenClassActions.com is a consumer news site and is not a settlement administrator or a law firm.
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| Class Action Summary | |
| Status | Proposed Settlement |
|---|---|
| Claim Form Deadline | January 20, 2026 |
| Settlement Amount | $1,577,000 |
| Category | Privacy and VPPA |
| Estimated Payout per Person | Pro rata. Estimated range about $60 to $145 |
| Case Number | 3:24-cv-06447 |
| Case Title | Jonathan Hoang To et al. v. DirectToU, LLC and Alliance Entertainment, LLC |
| Court | U.S. District Court, Northern District of California |
| Final Approval Hearing | January 28, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. by Zoom |
| Claim Website | VPPASettlement.com |