Case Overview: The University of Phoenix has agreed to an $8.75 million settlement to resolve allegations that it shared student data with third parties through website tracking technology in violation of federal and Illinois privacy laws.

Who Qualifies: Current and former University of Phoenix students and website visitors in Illinois whose personal information was allegedly shared with third parties without consent.

Estimated Payout: Eligible claimants may receive a cash payment; individual amounts will vary depending on the number of valid claims submitted.

Deadline: Check the official settlement website for the current claim filing deadline.

University of Phoenix $8.75M Settlement: Students May Be Eligible for Payment Over Alleged Website Tracking

Students and website visitors who interacted with the University of Phoenix's online platforms may be eligible for a cash payment under an $8.75 million class action settlement, according to recent settlement reporting from Top Class Actions.

The settlement resolves allegations that the for-profit university used tracking technology on its website to share visitors' personal information with outside third parties — without obtaining the required consent under federal and Illinois privacy law.

What You Could Receive

Eligible class members may receive a cash payment from the $8.75 million settlement fund. The exact amount each claimant could receive will depend on the total number of valid claims submitted. As with most class action settlements, individual payouts may be reduced if participation is high.

Who Qualifies

The settlement is reported to cover current and former University of Phoenix students and website visitors whose personal information was allegedly collected and shared with third parties through tracking tools embedded on the university's website.

Are You Eligible?

You may be eligible if you:

• Are a current or former student of the University of Phoenix, or
• Visited the University of Phoenix website during the covered period, and
• Your personal information was allegedly shared with third parties without your consent through website tracking technology

Documentation needed: Visit the official settlement website for specific eligibility requirements and any documentation that may be required to support your claim.

How to File a Claim

1. Visit the official settlement website (check the Top Class Actions settlement page for the direct link)
2. Complete the online claim form with your personal information
3. Submit any required documentation confirming your eligibility
4. File your claim before the applicable deadline

What the Case Was About

The lawsuit alleged that the University of Phoenix embedded tracking pixels and similar technologies on its website that collected and transmitted visitors' personal data — including browsing behavior and identifying information — to third-party companies. The complaint alleged these practices violated the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) and Illinois state privacy statutes, which impose strict requirements around obtaining consumer consent before sharing personal information.

The University of Phoenix has not admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement. The agreement represents a negotiated resolution to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continued litigation.

Privacy Lawsuits and Website Tracking

Cases involving tracking pixels and third-party data sharing have grown significantly in recent years as plaintiffs' attorneys scrutinize the data collection practices of universities, healthcare providers, and retailers. Under Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act and similar state laws, companies can face statutory damages of $1,000 to $5,000 per violation — figures that can accumulate quickly across large user populations.

The University of Phoenix case is part of a broader wave of litigation targeting organizations that allegedly share user data without meaningful disclosure or consent.

Important Dates

Specific hearing dates and the final claim deadline were not available at the time of publication. Claimants should monitor the official settlement website for updates on deadlines, final approval hearings, and expected payment timelines.

Settlement: University of Phoenix Website Tracking Class Action Settlement

Case Number: Not available at time of publication

Court: Not available at time of publication

Settlement Amount: $8.75 million

Claim Deadline: Check the official settlement website

Settlement Website: See Top Class Actions for the direct link to claim forms