A $4.5 million privacy settlement is now open—here’s how to claim your share with no proof required
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In today’s digital age, it’s hard to know exactly where your personal information ends up—or how it’s being used.
A new class-action settlement is giving some consumers a chance to claim money for a privacy breach they may not have even realized occurred.
You won’t need to provide receipts or dig through old records to qualify.
If you meet the criteria, filing a claim is quick and straightforward.
Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, deadlines, and how to claim your share.
The Criterion Collection—a company well known to film fans—has agreed to a $4.5 million settlement after being accused of improperly sharing subscriber information.
The lawsuit alleges that Criterion sent viewing data and other personal details to third parties such as Meta and Twilio, without user consent.
While Criterion has denied any wrongdoing, they’ve agreed to resolve the issue through a payout.
The result? If you qualify, you may be entitled to a cash payment.
You can file a claim if:
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, it may be worth checking your email or account history.
You might’ve subscribed in the past and forgotten about it!
The final payment amount depends on how many people file claims.
If only a small number of people apply, the payouts could be higher.
If many apply, each person’s share will be smaller—but with $4.5 million in the settlement fund, it’s still worth the few minutes it takes to sign up.
The process is simple, and no proof of purchase is required. Here’s what to do:
There’s no need to mail anything in. Everything can be completed online in just a few steps.
The Criterion Collection isn’t the only company facing legal action over data-sharing practices. Here are two other recent settlements worth knowing about:
As more of our daily lives shift online, companies are collecting more information than ever.
Sometimes that data ends up being shared with advertisers or tech platforms without clear permission.
Lawsuits like these aim to hold companies accountable and give consumers a modest payout for violations of their privacy.
Even if the money isn’t much, the message is clear: your personal information matters.
While a settlement check can feel like a win, preventing privacy issues before they start is even better. Here are a few simple steps:
Privacy matters—especially in a world where our data is constantly being shared.
If you qualify, don’t miss the chance to claim what you’re owed and take a small step toward holding companies accountable.
Read next: Protect your privacy: Disable these risky phone settings now!
Have you ever received a payment from a privacy-related settlement? Do you take steps to protect your online data? Or are you just learning about these issues for the first time? We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, and advice in the comments!
A new class-action settlement is giving some consumers a chance to claim money for a privacy breach they may not have even realized occurred.
You won’t need to provide receipts or dig through old records to qualify.
If you meet the criteria, filing a claim is quick and straightforward.
Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, deadlines, and how to claim your share.
A new privacy settlement offers eligible consumers a chance to claim compensation with no proof required. Image Source: Pexels / Jonathan Borba.
What’s behind the privacy settlement?
The Criterion Collection—a company well known to film fans—has agreed to a $4.5 million settlement after being accused of improperly sharing subscriber information.
The lawsuit alleges that Criterion sent viewing data and other personal details to third parties such as Meta and Twilio, without user consent.
While Criterion has denied any wrongdoing, they’ve agreed to resolve the issue through a payout.
The result? If you qualify, you may be entitled to a cash payment.
Also read: Is your local news at risk? News outlet owner hit with $9.5M privacy settlement and new lawsuits
Who’s eligible to file?
You can file a claim if:
- You had a subscription to or were a registered user of the Criterion Channel
- You watched a pre-recorded video on the platform between September 27, 2022, and December 27, 2024
If you’re unsure whether you qualify, it may be worth checking your email or account history.
You might’ve subscribed in the past and forgotten about it!
Also read: Settlement now live: How to claim up to $100 from Apple over Siri privacy lawsuit
How much money can you receive?
The final payment amount depends on how many people file claims.
If only a small number of people apply, the payouts could be higher.
If many apply, each person’s share will be smaller—but with $4.5 million in the settlement fund, it’s still worth the few minutes it takes to sign up.
How to file your claim
The process is simple, and no proof of purchase is required. Here’s what to do:
- Visit the official settlement website
- Fill out the claim form online.
- Submit your claim by the deadline: August 19, 2025
There’s no need to mail anything in. Everything can be completed online in just a few steps.
Eligible users can visit the official settlement website to file a claim before the deadline. Image Source: Pexels / Greta Hoffman.
Also read: Raw rewards? Shoppers could cash in on $22.5M settlement from Amazon, Target & Kroger!
Other privacy settlements you may qualify for
The Criterion Collection isn’t the only company facing legal action over data-sharing practices. Here are two other recent settlements worth knowing about:
- Netgain Technology Data Breach
If your personal or health data was compromised between September and November 2020, you could receive up to $5,000 for documented losses—or a smaller payout with no proof.
Claim deadline: September 17, 2025 - GameStop Pixel Tracking Settlement
If you purchased a video game from GameStop’s website between August 18, 2020, and April 17, 2025, while logged into a public Facebook account, you may be eligible for a $5 cash payment or $10 voucher.
Claim deadline: August 15, 2025
Also read: Could you be owed a piece of this $990K settlement? Here's the one “number” that unlocks it
Why these settlements matter
As more of our daily lives shift online, companies are collecting more information than ever.
Sometimes that data ends up being shared with advertisers or tech platforms without clear permission.
Lawsuits like these aim to hold companies accountable and give consumers a modest payout for violations of their privacy.
Even if the money isn’t much, the message is clear: your personal information matters.
Also read: Cookies on websites: What they really do—and how your choices affect your privacy
Tips to protect your privacy moving forward
While a settlement check can feel like a win, preventing privacy issues before they start is even better. Here are a few simple steps:
- Review your privacy settings on streaming sites, email accounts, and social media platforms
- Use strong, unique passwords for each account—and consider a password manager
- Avoid oversharing on public platforms
- Check accounts regularly for any unusual activity or login attempts
Privacy matters—especially in a world where our data is constantly being shared.
If you qualify, don’t miss the chance to claim what you’re owed and take a small step toward holding companies accountable.
Read next: Protect your privacy: Disable these risky phone settings now!
Have you ever received a payment from a privacy-related settlement? Do you take steps to protect your online data? Or are you just learning about these issues for the first time? We’d love to hear your thoughts, questions, and advice in the comments!
