Bleacher Report settles VPPA class action for $4,800,000

If you were a Bleacher Report account holder between January 25, 2021, and May 21, 2024, you may be eligible to claim a portion of a $4,800,000 settlement from a class action lawsuit.

Bleacher Report, Inc. has agreed to pay $4,800,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for allegedly disclosing personally identifiable information (PII) of account holders to Facebook via the Meta Pixel without consent, in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA).

Who can submit a claim?

The settlement class includes all individuals in the United States who were Bleacher Report account holders between January 25, 2021, and May 21, 2024. If you meet these criteria, you are part of the Settlement Class and may be eligible for a payment.

To qualify for a payment, you must have:

• Had a Bleacher Report account.
• Had an active Facebook account.
• Accessed or viewed a video on BleacherReport.com (not through the Bleacher Report app).
• Accessed or viewed a video on BleacherReport.com from the same browser you accessed or have accessed Facebook.

How much can class members get?

The settlement provides a total fund of $4,800,000. Each class member who files a valid claim will receive a proportionate share of the Settlement Fund. The exact amount of each payment will depend on the number of valid claims submitted.

Is proof required to submit a claim?

Yes, claimants must provide proof that they held a Bleacher Report account, had an active Facebook account, accessed or viewed a video on BleacherReport.com, and did so from the same browser where they accessed Facebook.

How to claim an award

To claim an award, you can submit a claim form online or by mail. To file a claim online, visit the online claim form.

You may print and mail a paper claim form to the Settlement Administrator:

Bleacher Report VPPA Settlement

c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC

PO Box 5324

New York, NY 10150-5324

Ensure your claim form is postmarked by August 23, 2024.

Claim instructions

Follow these steps to submit a claim:

1. Visit the settlement website.
2. Click on 'Submit Claim'.
3. Fill out the online claim form with your personal information.
4. If submitting by mail, download and print the claim form.
5. Complete the form and mail it to the address provided above.

How do I get paid?

Payments will be made by check unless you elect to receive payment via PayPal or Venmo when submitting your claim online. Checks will expire and become void 180 days after they are issued.

$4,800,000 Settlement Fund

The settlement fund of $4,800,000 will cover:

• Payments to Settlement Class Members.
• Cost to administer the settlement.
• Cost to inform people about the settlement.
• Attorneys’ fees, costs, and expenses (up to one-third of the Settlement Fund).
• An incentive award to the Class Representatives (up to $5,000 each).

Important dates

• Fairness Hearing: August 8, 2024
• Deadline to File a Claim: August 23, 2024

When is the Bleacher Report VPPA Settlement payout date?

Eligible Settlement Class Members whose claims were approved will receive their payment ninety (90) days after the settlement has been finally approved and/or any appeals process is complete.

Why is there a class action settlement?

This class action settlement resolves around alleged claims that Bleacher Report violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by disclosing personally identifiable information (PII) to Facebook via the Meta Pixel without consent. The VPPA defines PII to include information that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific video materials or services from a video tape service provider.

The settlement avoids the uncertainties and expenses associated with ongoing litigation. Both parties agreed to settle the case to provide compensation to class members sooner rather than after a potentially lengthy trial.

What happens next?

After the Final Approval Hearing, if the Court approves the settlement, payments will be distributed to eligible class members, and the terms of the settlement will be enforced.