Thomson Reuters CLEAR Privacy Settlement: $27.5M

California residents who lived in the state at any time between December 3, 2016, and October 31, 2024, and whose personal information was made available through Thomson Reuters’ CLEAR product.

Proof is not required, but claimants must sign a statement under penalty of perjury affirming California residency during the specified period.

Thomson Reuters has agreed to a $27.5 million settlement to resolve claims that its CLEAR product violated the privacy rights of California residents. Plaintiffs in the lawsuit allege that Thomson Reuters sold access to their personal information through CLEAR without their consent, violating California privacy laws. Thomson Reuters denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid further litigation costs.

The lawsuit, originally filed in December 2020, claims that CLEAR improperly collected and sold personal data, infringing upon the rights of millions of Californians. The settlement provides both monetary compensation and injunctive relief, requiring Thomson Reuters to implement changes to its practices, including:

• Enhanced Opt-Out Procedures: Easier options for Californians to review or delete their information from CLEAR.
• Transparency Improvements: Making more information available about how CLEAR collects, stores, and uses personal data.
• Operational Changes: Updates to CLEAR’s settings and practices to better protect consumer privacy.

Compensation:
Eligible class members can receive an equal share of the settlement fund after deductions for administrative costs, attorneys’ fees, and other expenses. Estimated payments range between $19 and $48, depending on the number of claims submitted.

How Funds Will Be Distributed:

• Settlement Fund: $27.5 million
• Attorneys’ Fees: $6.875 million (25% of the fund)
• Administrative Costs: Up to $485,000
• Remaining Funds: Divided equally among class members who file valid claims.
• Residual Funds: Any unclaimed funds will be donated to court-approved organizations.

To participate, claimants must sign a statement confirming that they resided in California between December 3, 2016, and October 31, 2024, and were at least 18 years old during that time. The statement is made under penalty of perjury, so providing false information is a felony.

By agreeing to this settlement, Thomson Reuters has also committed to better protecting consumer information and providing transparency about data usage through CLEAR.