The Bleacher Report settlement is a result of a class action lawsuit that alleges the company shared subscriber data with Facebook without consent. This issue dates back to when Tom Sorensen, a digital subscriber of Bleacher Report, filed a lawsuit against Turner Broadcasting System Inc., doing business as Bleacher Report Inc. Sorensen claims that Bleacher Report unlawfully disclosed the personally identifiable information and video viewing histories of its subscribers to Facebook-owner Meta Platforms. This case highlights significant concerns about digital privacy and compliance with the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA).
Background of the Bleacher Report settlement
The lawsuit centers on allegations that Bleacher Report violated the VPPA by sharing subscriber data with Facebook. The VPPA is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of individuals who rent or purchase video tapes and similar audio-visual materials. The act prohibits video tape service providers from disclosing personally identifiable information (PII) without the consumer’s explicit consent.
Tom Sorensen’s lawsuit, filed in Illinois federal court, claims that Bleacher Report used a tool known as the “Facebook Pixel” to track its users’ activities. This tracking tool allegedly collected information about the videos subscribers watched and their Facebook IDs, which were then shared with Meta. Sorensen argues that Bleacher Report did not obtain the necessary consent from its users to share this data, thereby violating the VPPA.
How does the Facebook Pixel work?
The Facebook Pixel is a piece of code that website owners can install on their sites to track user activity. This tool helps in monitoring the actions taken by visitors on a website, which can then be used for targeted advertising and other marketing purposes. In the case of Bleacher Report, the Facebook Pixel was allegedly used to collect data on what videos subscribers were watching and then share this information with Facebook.
This practice of using tracking tools like the Facebook Pixel raises significant privacy concerns, especially when users are unaware that their activities are being monitored and shared. The Bleacher Report settlement case brings to light how crucial it is for companies to obtain explicit consent from their users before collecting and sharing such sensitive information.
Legal implications and the VPPA
The VPPA is a vital piece of legislation aimed at protecting consumer privacy in the digital age. It defines personally identifiable information as information that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific video materials or services from a video tape service provider. In Sorensen’s lawsuit, he claims that Bleacher Report’s actions clearly fall under the purview of the VPPA and that the company failed to comply with the law by not securing the necessary consent from its subscribers.
The Bleacher Report settlement involves significant legal ramifications. Sorensen is seeking a jury trial and has requested injunctive and declaratory relief, along with statutory and punitive damages for himself and other class members. This lawsuit is part of a broader trend where numerous companies have faced similar legal challenges for allegedly sharing subscriber data with Facebook without consent, including major players like HGTV, Paramount, and Forbes.
Bleacher Report settlement details
The Bleacher Report settlement is part of an ongoing effort to resolve the legal disputes surrounding the unauthorized sharing of subscriber data. According to the settlement, Bleacher Report has agreed to take several corrective measures. These include stopping the operation of the Meta Pixel on any pages that include video content and have URLs identifying the video content viewed unless they obtain VPPA-compliant consent from the users.
The settlement also stipulates that individuals who were Bleacher Report account holders between January 25, 2021, and May 21, 2024, and who accessed videos through Bleacher Report’s website using the same browser they used for Facebook, are eligible for a portion of the settlement fund. This settlement fund aims to compensate affected users for the unauthorized sharing of their data.
How to sign up for Bleacher Report settlement
If you believe you are eligible to be part of the Bleacher Report settlement, it’s important to understand the steps and deadlines for submitting a claim. Below is a detailed guide on how to sign up for the settlement.
1. Verify your eligibility
Before you begin the process, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria for the Bleacher Report settlement:
- You must be a U.S. resident.
- You must have been a Bleacher Report account holder between January 25, 2021, and May 21, 2024.
- You must have accessed a video through the BleacherReport.com website using the same browser where you accessed your Facebook account.
2. Visit the official settlement website
To ensure you are accessing accurate and up-to-date information, visit the official Bleacher Report VPPA settlement website. This website is authorized by the court and managed by the settlement administrator, Kroll Settlement Administration LLC. The official website provides all necessary details about the settlement and the claims process.
3. Submit a claim form
On the settlement website, you will find the option to submit a claim form. There are two ways to submit your claim:
- Online submission: This is the fastest and easiest method. Fill out the claim form directly on the settlement website, providing all required information. Make sure to complete all fields accurately to avoid any delays in processing your claim.
- Mail submission: If you prefer to submit your claim by mail, download and print the claim form from the Bleacher Report settlement website.
4. Key deadlines
Be mindful of the important deadlines associated with the Bleacher Report settlement:
- Exclusion deadline: July 9, 2024. If you choose to exclude yourself from the settlement, meaning you will not receive any benefits but retain the right to sue the defendant separately, you must submit your exclusion request by this date.
- Objection deadline: July 9, 2024. If you wish to object to any terms of the settlement, you must mail your objection and notice of intent to appear at the Final Approval Hearing by this date.
- Claims deadline: August 23, 2024. Your claim form must be submitted online or postmarked by this date to be eligible for a payment.
5. Final approval hearing
The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for August 8, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. ET. The hearing will be held virtually via Zoom. Check the settlement website closer to the hearing date for instructions on how to access the virtual court session. During this hearing, the court will determine the fairness of the settlement.
6. Await confirmation
After submitting your claim, await confirmation from the settlement administrator. If your claim is approved, you will receive a pro rata portion of the settlement fund. The amount you receive will depend on the number of valid claims filed.
Broader context and similar cases
The Bleacher Report settlement is not an isolated case. There has been a growing number of lawsuits filed against various companies for similar violations of the VPPA. These cases collectively underscore the importance of protecting consumer privacy and ensuring that companies adhere to federal laws regarding data sharing and consent.
For instance, other notable cases involve companies like HGTV, Paramount, and Forbes, which have faced legal actions for allegedly sharing subscriber data with Facebook without obtaining the required consent. These cases highlight a broader issue within the digital platforms where consumer data privacy is often compromised, leading to significant legal and ethical questions.
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