University of Minnesota $5M Data Breach Settlement

Individuals whose information the University of Minnesota maintained in August 2021 or those who received notice from the university stating a data incident may have compromised their information could qualify to submit a claim to receive a $30 cash payment and 24 months of dark web monitoring from a class action settlement.

The Regents of the University of Minnesota agreed to pay $5 million to resolve a class action lawsuit alleging it failed to protect personal information following a data breach involving the university’s Legacy Data Warehouse in August 2021. The class action claimed unauthorized third parties accessed or obtained personal data, potentially affecting students, employees and program participants from 1989 through August 2021.

Who is eligible for a data breach payout?

Class members are:

• Individuals whose personal information he University of Minnesota’s Legacy Data Warehouse maintained or could access as of Aug. 10, 2021, which incudes:
• Those who submitted information as a prospective student
• Those who attended the university as a student
• Those who worked at the university as an employee
• Those who participated in university programs between 1989 and Aug. 10, 2021

• Individuals who received a direct notice from the university in September 2023 about the data incident.

How much is the class action settlement payment?

The following benefits are available:

• Cash payment: Class members can submit a claim to receive an estimated $30 cash payment. The settlement administrator will determine the final payment amount by the number of valid claims.
• Dark web monitoring: All class members can also elect to receive 24 months of dark web monitoring services.

How to claim a class action rebate

To receive a settlement payment, class members must submit a claim form by the Dec. 24, 2025, deadline. Class members can file a claim online or print and mail the PDF claim form to the settlement administrator.

Settlement administrator's mailing address: University of Minnesota Data Incident Settlement, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391

Required claim information

To submit an online claim form, class members must provide the class member ID from the official settlement notice they received.

Payout options

• Electronic payment (online only)
• Paper check mailed to the address provided

$5 million data breach settlement fund

The $5,000,000 settlement fund will include

• Settlement administration costs: To be determined
• Attorneys' fees: Up to to $1,666,666.67
• Attorneys' expenses: To be presented to the court for approval at a later date
• Service awards: Up to $2,000 per class representative
• Dark web monitoring: Cost determined by number of claims filed
• Payments to approved claimants: Remaining settlement funds

Important dates

• Deadline to file a claim: Dec. 24, 2025
• Last day to opt out: Dec. 29, 2025
• Final approval hearing: Jan. 28, 2026

When is the University of Minnesota data incident settlement payout date?

The settlement administrator will issue payments to class members with valid claims approximately 105 days after the court grants final approval of the settlement.

Why is there a class action settlement?

This class action settlement resolves claims that the University of Minnesota failed to adequately protect personal information stored in its Legacy Data Warehouse. In August 2021, unauthorized parties accessed or obtained personal data and potentially posted it on the dark web.

The university denies these allegations but agreed to settle to avoid the expense and risks involved with continuing litigation.

Sources

1. Official settlement website FAQ page
2. Class notice
3. Settlement claim form
4. Settlement agreement