Bumble & Badoo Agree to $40M Settlement for Privacy Claims

If you used the Bumble or Badoo app while a resident of, or located in, the State of Illinois between November 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021, you may be eligible to claim a cash benefit from a class action settlement.

Bumble Trading L.L.C. and Badoo Trading Limited have agreed to pay $40,000,000 to settle a class action lawsuit for alleged violations of Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) in connection with user photographs uploaded to the apps.

Who Can Claim an Award?

The Settlement Class includes all individuals who used the Bumble or Badoo app while a resident of, or located in, the State of Illinois between November 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021. This means if you used either of these apps during this time frame and were in Illinois, you are likely eligible to claim an award.

What Awards Can Class Members Claim?

As part of the Settlement, Defendants have agreed to pay $40,000,000 into a fund to pay each Settlement Class Member who submits a valid claim, as well as any court-approved attorneys’ fees and expenses, service awards to class representatives, and notice and settlement administration costs.

Each Settlement Class Member who submits a timely, valid claim may receive a pro rata portion of the Net Settlement Fund. The per-person payment to each Valid Claimant depends on certain unknown factors, including the number of valid claim forms submitted.

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Is Proof Required to Claim the Reward?

Yes, claimants must provide:

• the "unique ID" provided by the settlement administrator found in the notice email
• username(s) associated with each app
• email(s) associated with each app
• phone number(s) associated with each app

How to Claim an Award

To claim your award, you can file a claim online by visiting the online claim form. Alternatively, you can print a copy of the Claim Form and submit it by mail to:

Howell v. Bumble Trading L.L.C.  

Settlement Administrator  

P.O. Box 2567  

Portland, OR 97208-2567

Ensure your claim form is complete, accurate, and submitted no later than September 20, 2024.

Submitting a Claim

Follow these steps to submit a claim:

• Visit the online claim form or request a form by calling 877-763-0944.
• Provide your full legal name, any Bumble or Badoo username(s), email address(es), and phone number(s) associated with your account(s).
• Confirm that you used the Bumble or Badoo app while a resident of, or located in, the State of Illinois between November 1, 2016, and December 31, 2021.
• Choose your payment method: Venmo, PayPal, or physical check.
• Sign the attestation confirming the accuracy of your information and submit the form by September 20, 2024.

How do I Get Paid?

Payments will be made depending on the option you select on your claim form:

• PayPal
• Venmo
• physical check

$40,000,000 Settlement Fund Breakdown

The total settlement amount is $40,000,000. This fund will cover:

• Payments to Settlement Class Members who submit Valid Claims
• Attorneys’ fees and expenses (up to 35% of the Settlement Fund)
• Service Awards to Class Representatives (up to $5,000 each)
• Notice and settlement administration costs

Important Dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: September 20, 2024
• Deadline to Exclude Yourself from the Settlement: September 20, 2024
• Final Approval Hearing: October 23, 2024

When will Awards be Paid?

Awards will be paid after the Court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.

Why is There a Class Action Settlement?

The lawsuit alleges that the Bumble and Badoo apps violated Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) in connection with user photographs uploaded to the apps. Bumble and Badoo deny all allegations but have agreed to settle the case to avoid further litigation.

What Happens Next?

The next steps include the Final Approval Hearing on October 23, 2024. If the Court approves the Settlement, payments will be processed, and class members will receive their awards.