MasterClass Faces Class Action Lawsuit Over Alleged Data Sharing

Case Overview: A class action lawsuit has been filed against MasterClass, alleging the company shared user viewing data with Facebook without their consent, violating the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA).

Consumers Affected: MasterClass subscribers.

Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Online learning platform MasterClass shares its subscribers' personal viewing information with Facebook without their consent, violating their privacy and federal laws while they’re at it, a new lawsuit alleges. 

According to the lawsuit, Yanka Industries Inc., which owns MasterClass, nonconsensually shares with Facebook subscribers' names, addresses, and details about the videos they watched violating the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA). 

MasterClass Accused Of Sharing User Data With Facebook Without Consent

Pennsylvania resident Alan Silva filed the proposed class action lawsuit against Yanka Industries Inc. accusing the company of invading the privacy of at least tens of thousands of consumers, including his own.

Silva said he began his subscription to MasterClass in December 2023 with no idea his personal viewing information, including the specific videos he watched and the device he used, was shared with Meta through a snippet of code called the Meta Pixel. Silva claims that he never consented to this data sharing, nor was he informed that his private information was being disclosed to Meta. As a result, Silva argues that his rights under the VPPA were violated.

“Defendant disclosed and continues to disclose its subscribers’ Private Viewing Information to Meta without asking for let alone obtaining its subscribers’ consent to these practices,” the lawsuit alleges.

Meta Pixel Tracks User Activity And Sends Data To Facebook, Lawsuit Claims

Tracking pixels are snippets of code that can be hidden from sight and attached to websites and emails in order to collect data about consumers. The FTC says pixels have “evolved from tiny, pixel-sized images on web pages for tracking purposes to include a broad range of HTML and JavaScript embedded in websites (and email).”

The lawsuit centers around the use of the Meta Pixel, a tracking tool that allows companies to monitor users' activities on their websites and send that data to Meta. The Meta Pixel collects user information, including the specific content they view. 

How MasterClass Allegedly Uses Meta Pixel To Target Ads

For MasterClass subscribers, this means that each time they watch a video, information about that viewing session, including their unique Facebook ID (FID), is transmitted to Meta. 

This FID can be linked to the subscriber's Facebook profile, effectively allowing Meta to track which videos a specific person has watched on MasterClass and then using that data to deliver targeted advertisements.

Under the VPPA, companies are prohibited from disclosing personally identifiable information about a consumer's video viewing habits to third parties without the consumer's explicit consent, the lawsuit details. In this case, Silva argues that MasterClass’s actions directly violate these protections.

Privacy Concerns Spark Legal Battles Over Data Sharing Practice

MasterClass is not alone in facing scrutiny over its data sharing practices. Other companies, including Office Depot and Henry Ford Health, are also involved in legal battles over the use of tracking pixels. 

Office Depot is accused of embedding spy pixel trackers in marketing emails, which allegedly capture and share detailed information about recipients without their consent. Similarly, Henry Ford Health is being sued for allegedly sharing patients' confidential medical data with third parties like Facebook and Google. 

In the MasterClass data sharing class action lawsuit, Silva wants to represent consumers from across the country in his lawsuit alleging violations of the VPPA. He is seeking damages, injunctive relief, interest, fees, and costs.

Case Details

• Lawsuit: Silva v. Yanka Industries, Inc. D/B/A Masterclass
• Case Number: 3:24-CV-05264-PHK
• Court: U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California 

Plaintiffs' Attorneys

• Frank S. Hedin (Hedin LLP)

Have you used MasterClass or other online learning platforms? Do you have concerns about your viewing data being shared with third parties? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.