Crunchyroll subscribers may be entitled to a class action settlement after a lawsuit was filed alleging that the Sony-owned streaming service violated users’ privacy. Filed in 2022, the lawsuit alleges that Crunchyroll disclosed personally identifiable information (PII) from subscribers to several third-party companies without their consent.
What is the class action lawsuit about?
The class action lawsuit alleges that Crunchyroll violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), which prohibits video service providers from disclosing PII from subscribers without their consent. The VPPA also requires video service providers to provide subscribers with a notice informing them of their right to opt out of having their PII disclosed.
The lawsuit alleges that Crunchyroll disclosed PII from subscribers to several third-party companies, including Facebook, Google, and Amazon. This PII included information such as subscribers’ names, email addresses, IP addresses, and video viewing history.
Crunchyroll denied the allegations but decided to agree to a settlement regardless in order to avoid further expenses that could come with fighting the class action lawsuit.
What does this mean for Crunchyroll subscribers?
With Crunchyroll agreeing to a settlement, certain Crunchyroll subscribers may be entitled to compensation.
Who is eligible for the settlement?
You are eligible for the payout “if you are a Person in the United States who, from September 8, 2020 through September 20, 2023, (1) was a registered user of an online website, mobile app, or any video-on-demand service or app owned, controlled, and/or operated by Crunchyroll; and (2) viewed videos on an online website, mobile app, or any video-on-demand service or app owned, controlled, and/or operated by Crunchyroll.”
How much compensation can I expect to receive?
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on a number of factors, including how many subscribers are eligible for the settlement, and how much money you spent on Crunchyroll during the relevant period.
How do I file a claim?
If you are eligible for a payment, submit your claim no later than December 12, 2023. To learn more about the case against Sony Pictures Entertainment and Crunchyroll, read its settlement details here.
What are my other options?
If you are eligible for the settlement but do not want to participate, you can opt out of the settlement. But if you opt out of the settlement, you will not be eligible for any compensation. However, you will still have the right to file your own lawsuit against Crunchyroll.
Additional information
The settlement does not cover all of the claims that could have been brought against Crunchyroll. For example, the settlement does not cover claims for emotional distress or other non-economic damages.
The settlement does not also prevent Crunchyroll from continuing to collect and use user data in the future. However, Crunchyroll has agreed to make changes to its privacy policy and to provide subscribers with more information about how their PII will be used.
Lastly, the settlement has not yet been approved by the court. But if the court finally approves the settlement, it will be binding on all class members who do not opt-out.