Crunchyroll, the leading name in anime streaming, recently came to a settlement in a class-action lawsuit focused on user privacy.
The lawsuit, initiated by Salvador Beltran Jr., Eli Gross, and others, claimed that Crunchyroll was in violation of the United States Video Privacy Protection Act. This settlement has ignited discussions about the security of user data and the ethical duties of streaming platforms.
The lawsuit was launched in the District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in September 2022.
It centered on Crunchyroll allegedly sharing subscriber personal information with third-party companies like Facebook, without obtaining user consent.
Although Crunchyroll and its parent company, Sony Pictures Entertainment, refuted these claims, they opted for a settlement to sidestep additional legal issues.
The agreement was finalized on September 15, 2023, making U.S.-based Crunchyroll subscribers eligible for an estimated payout of around $30, though the exact amount is still under review.
If you’ve accessed Crunchyroll’s platform in the United States between September 8, 2020, and September 20, 2023, you might be eligible for a payout.
According to the Kroll Settlement Administration, the following Crunchyroll subscribers are eligible for the payout:
“You are included if you are a Person in the United States who, from September 8, 2020 through September 20, 2023, (1) was a registered user of an online website, mobile app, or any video-on-demand service or app owned, controlled, and/or operated by Crunchyroll; and (2) viewed videos on an online website, mobile app, or any video-on-demand service or app owned, controlled, and/or operated by Crunchyroll.”
To secure this, you’ll need to submit a claim form by December 12, 2023.
Questions to consider include how this will impact Crunchyroll’s standing. The settlement could range from a minor hiccup to a major setback for Crunchyroll’s brand image.
What is your opinion on this Class-Action Settlement? Let us know your opinion in the comment section. For more anime coverage, please visit our homepage.
Source: Official Website
