BuzzFeed VPPA Class Action Settlement
If you were a BuzzFeed account holder and/or digital newsletter subscriber and watched videos on a BuzzFeed website in the past few years, you may be entitled to a piece of a recent $9 million settlement.
BuzzFeed VPPA Settlement Information
Peters v. BuzzFeed Inc.
Case No. CACE-24-004380
* You will be taken to the claims adminstrator site designated by the court to handle this claim.
Have a question?
Scroll down to find frequently asked questions and answers about this settlement.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Settlement
What Is the BuzzFeed Settlement About?
A settlement has been reached to resolve a proposed class action lawsuit that alleged BuzzFeed disclosed subscribers’ personally identifiable information to Facebook without consent, in violation of the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA). The BuzzFeed class action claimed the media company transmitted consumer data to Facebook through a hidden tracking pixel that collected users’ video-viewing activity, which can be used for advertising purposes.
Who Qualifies for the BuzzFeed VPPA Settlement?
The $9 million BuzzFeed settlement covers anyone in the United States who, between May 16, 2021 and November 10, 2023, was a log-in account holder and/or digital newsletter subscriber to a BuzzFeed website and accessed a video through the site while a relevant tracking pixel was operational.
What Websites Qualify for the BuzzFeed VPPA Settlement?
Websites covered by the BuzzFeed class action settlement include, but are not limited to, BuzzFeed.com, HuffPost.com, Tasty.com and Complex.com.
Is the BuzzFeed Privacy Settlement Legit?
Yes. The settlement is legitimate. In fact, a court-approved website—BFVPPASettlement.com—has been created to inform consumers about the deal and serve as a platform to submit a claim form for the BuzzFeed settlement, find out more about the initial class action, or contact the settlement administrator.
How Much of a Payout Could I Get from the BuzzFeed Settlement?
Eligible class members may be entitled to receive a cash payout of up to $8. This amount may decrease depending on the total number of valid claims that are filed.
In addition to a cash payment, consumers may be eligible for a one-year subscription to BuzzFeed+, valued at $35.88 per year, with no subscription fee.
How Do I File a BuzzFeed Settlement Claim Form?
You can file a claim form online on this page or download a PDF claim form to print and submit by mail.
To file a claim online, you will need the unique ID and PIN printed on the settlement notice you received by email. If you did not get an email notice, or need it reissued, contact the settlement administrator.
You can look up your unique ID by entering your BuzzFeed account email address here.
Is There a Deadline?
Yes. Your deadline to file a claim is listed on the notice you received by email.
When Do I Get Paid?
BuzzFeed settlement payments will not be issued until the court decides whether to grant final approval to the deal and after any appeals are resolved. A final approval hearing is set for October 18, 2024.
How Did We Get Here?
The BuzzFeed privacy lawsuit—Peters v. BuzzFeed Inc., CACE-24-004380—claimed that when subscribers visited a BuzzFeed-owned website, their personal data and the titles of videos they viewed were collected and shared with Facebook, without their knowledge or consent, via a hidden tracking pixel.
According to the allegations, this practice is a violation of the VPPA, a federal law that prohibits any “video tape service provider” from disclosing a consumer’s personally identifiable information—in this case, the videos they watched—to third parties without prior written authorization.
Claims Administrator
BuzzFeed VPPA Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 2753
Portland, OR 97208-2753
1-877-438-1665
BuzzFeed VPPA Settlement Information
Peters v. BuzzFeed Inc.
Case No. CACE-24-004380
* You will be taken to the claims adminstrator site designated by the court to handle this claim.