Forbes Media $7.5M Video Privacy Class Action Settlement

Forbes online or mobile application account holders or newsletter subscribers in the United States who had an active Facebook account and watched a video on forbes.com between July 25, 2020, and Dec. 1, 2022, may qualify to claim up to $15 from a class action settlement.

Forbes Media LLC agreed to pay $7.5 million to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it disclosed its subscribers’ personally identifiable information to Facebook via the Facebook tracking pixel without consent and in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act.

Who can file a claim?

Class members must meet all of the following criteria:

• They were a Forbes U.S. online account holder, mobile application account holder or newsletter subscriber at any time between July 25, 2020, and Dec. 1, 2022.
• They had an active Facebook account during the same period.
• While in the United States, they accessed or viewed a video on forbes.com between July 25, 2020, and Dec. 1, 2022.
• They viewed the video on forbes.com from the same device and browser they used to access Facebook.

How much can class members get?

Pro rata payment: Eligible class members may receive a cash payment of up to $15. However, the actual amount each person receives may be less, depending on the total number of valid claims submitted. The settlement fund is capped at $7.5 million, which must also cover administrative costs, attorneys’ fees and service awards to the class representatives.

How to claim a class action rebate

Class members must submit an online claim form or download, print, complete and mail the PDF claim form to the settlement administrator. The claim deadline is Nov. 4, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Forbes.com Privacy Settlement c/o Kroll Settlement Administration, PO Box 225391 New York, NY 10150-5391

What information is required to submit a claim?

• To file a claim online, class members must provide the claim ID number located on their settlement notice.
• All claimants must provide their Facebook account name and ID.

Payout options

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

$7.5 million settlement fund breakdown

The $7,500,000 settlement fund includes:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees and costs: Up to $2,500,000
• Service awards to class representatives: Up to $5,000 each
• Payments to eligible class members: The remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Exclusion deadline: Oct. 21, 2025
• Deadline to file a claim: Nov. 4, 2025
• Final approval hearing: Nov. 17, 2025

When is the Forbes Media VPPA settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments approximately 70 days after the court grants final approval and resolves any appeals.

Why is there a class action settlement?

This class action lawsuit alleged Forbes Media LLC violated the Video Privacy Protection Act by sharing subscribers’ personally identifiable information with Facebook via tracking technology on its website. The VPPA defines PII as information that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific video materials or services from a video tape service provider.

Forbes Media LLC denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainties and expenses of ongoing litigation.

Sources

1. Class notice
2. Claim form
3. Settlement agreement
4. Settlement FAQ