Lee Enterprises $9.5M Data Privacy Settlement

Consumers who subscribed to a Lee Enterprises publication, had a Facebook account and accessed or requested video material on a Lee website may qualify to claim approximately $41.01 from a class action settlement.

Lee Enterprises Inc. agreed to pay $9,500,000 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging it disclosed subscribers’ personally identifiable information to Facebook through tracking technologies without their consent and in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act.

Who is eligible for a Lee Enterprises payout?

Class members must meet the following criteria:

• They reside in the United States.
• They had a Facebook account at any time from Dec. 19, 2020, through March 4, 2025.
• They subscribed to a Lee Enterprises publication during that period.
• They requested or accessed video material on a Lee Enterprises website during that period.

Approximately 1.6 million individuals have been identified as potential class members based on Lee’s records.

How much is the Facebook tracking pixel payout?

Pro rata payment: Class members who submit a valid claim will receive an equal share of the settlement fund. Class counsel anticipates the payment will be approximately $41.01 per claimant, although the final amount may vary depending on the total number of valid claims submitted and actual settlement costs.

How to claim a Lee Enterprises 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 form deadline is July 17, 2025.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: Lee Settlement Administrator c/o RG/2 Claims Administration LLC, P.O. Box 59479, Philadelphia, PA 19102-9479

Required information

To file an online claim, class members must provide the login and password from the settlement notice they received.

Payout options

Class members can choose from the following payment methods:

• Venmo
• PayPal
• Zelle
• Visa gift card (mailed to the provided address)
• Paper check (mailed to the provided address)

$9.5 million data privacy settlement fund breakdown

The $9,500,000 settlement fund covers:

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees and expenses: Up to $3,166,666.67
• Service awards to class representatives: Up to $2,500 each ($15,000 total)
• Payments to eligible class members: The remainder of the fund

Important dates

• Claim deadline: July 17, 2025
• Exclusion deadline: July 17, 2025
• Fairness hearing: Dec. 10, 2025

When is the Lee Enterprises payout date?

Payments will be made after final approval and the completion of any appeals process.

Why did this class action settlement happen?

The class action lawsuit alleged Lee Enterprises disclosed subscribers’ personally identifiable information to Facebook through tracking technologies without obtaining consent and in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act.

Lee denies any wrongdoing or violation of the law. Both parties agreed to settle to avoid the uncertainty and expense of continued litigation and to provide compensation to class members.

Sources

1. Class Notice
2. Settlement Agreement