The Criterion Collection Privacy Settlement: $4.5M

Consumers who were Criterion Channel subscribers or registered users during that time period and who watched at least one pre-recorded video.

Not required.

The Criterion Collection has agreed to a $4.5 million settlement to resolve claims that it improperly shared personal subscriber data with third parties like Meta and Twilio.

According to the class action lawsuit, the Criterion Channel’s website and apps allegedly disclosed users’ video viewing history and other private information without consent. Plaintiffs say this violated both federal and state privacy laws, including the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), which prohibits companies from sharing video viewing data with outside parties unless users give informed consent.

The lawsuit claims that when subscribers streamed movies or TV shows on the Criterion Channel, details about their viewing activity—including titles watched and personal account information—were sent to outside platforms for marketing or analytics purposes. These transmissions allegedly happened without clear disclosure or permission, leaving users unaware their data was being tracked and shared.

Criterion Collection has not admitted wrongdoing, but agreed to settle the case to avoid further litigation.

What Settlement Class Members Can Receive

Eligible users can submit a claim for a cash payment from the $4.5 million fund. The final payout per person will depend on how many valid claims are submitted. No payment estimate is available yet, but each participating class member will receive an equal share of the fund after administrative costs, attorneys’ fees, and related expenses are deducted.

You do not need to provide receipts or proof of subscription to qualify—the company’s records will be used to confirm eligibility.

Why This Settlement Matters

This case highlights growing concerns about data privacy in streaming services. Many consumers assume that their movie-watching habits are private, but lawsuits like this one show how companies may use third-party tracking tools to gather marketing data at the expense of user privacy. Settlements like this aim to hold companies accountable and encourage better data practices moving forward.