Criterion Channel LLC $4.5M Video Privacy Settlement

U.S. Criterion Channel account holders or subscribers who watched a prerecorded video between Sept. 27, 2022, and Dec. 27, 2024, may qualify to claim a cash payment from a class action settlement.

The Criterion Collection LLC agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it disclosed subscribers’ personally identifiable information to Twilio Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. without consent. The plaintiffs claimed this violated several privacy laws, including the Video Privacy Protection Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Pennsylvania Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act, and the Florida Security of Communications Act.

Who can file a Criterion Channel claim?

Class members must meet all of the following criteria:

• They were a registered user of, or had a subscription to, the Criterion Channel service in the United States at any time between Sept. 27, 2022, and Dec. 27, 2024.
• They watched a prerecorded video through the Criterion Channel Service during that period.

The Criterion Channel service includes:

• The website (criterionchannel.com)
• Criterion Channel iOS or Android mobile applications
• Any other digital platform or application owned and operated by The Criterion Collection where its video content is available (such as Roku, tvOS, Android TV, Fire TV, Samsung TV and Xbox)

How much is the privacy payout?

Pro rata payment: The total settlement fund is $4,500,000, which will be distributed equally among all approved claimants after deducting attorneys’ fees, settlement administration expenses, and service awards to class representatives. Each eligible class member who submits a valid claim will receive a cash payment.

How to claim a class action rebate

Class members can file a claim online or download, print and complete a PDF claim form to mail to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is Aug. 19, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Criterion Channel Settlement c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391

Required information

To file an online claim, class members must provide the class member ID located on their settlement notice.

Payout options

• PayPal (online claims only)
• Venmo (online claims only)
• Paper check

$4.5 million VPPA settlement fund breakdown

The $4.5 million settlement fund will cover:

• Settlement administration expenses: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees: Up to $1,499,850
• Service awards to class representatives: Up to $2,500 each
• Payments to class members: The remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Claim deadline: Aug. 19, 2025
• Exclusion deadline: Aug. 19, 2025
• Final approval hearing: Oct. 15, 2025

When is the Criterion Channel settlement payout date?

If the court approves the settlement, the settlement administrator will send payments to eligible class members within 70 days of the effective date.

Why was there a class action settlement?

The class action lawsuit alleged The Criterion Collection LLC disclosed subscribers’ personally identifiable information to Twilio Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. without consent. The plaintiffs claimed this violated the Video Privacy Protection Act, the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Pennsylvania Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Control Act, and the Florida Security of Communications Act.

The company denies any wrongdoing or violation of law but agreed to the settlement to avoid the uncertainties and expenses of continued litigation and to provide compensation to affected users.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Settlement agreement
3. Settlement website FAQ