The \$20 Million Tubi Privacy Settlement: 7 Critical Facts About The VPPA Class Action Payouts

The Tubi class action lawsuit has reached a definitive resolution, culminating in a \$19.99 million settlement that addresses serious allegations of user privacy violations. As of December 15, 2025, the focus has shifted from the legal battle to the distribution of funds, with reports confirming that payments are actively being sent to approved claimants following the final approval and dismissal of all appeals. This landmark case, officially known as *Gregory v. Tubi, Inc.*, serves as a powerful reminder of the protections afforded to consumers under the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) and the high cost companies face for allegedly mishandling sensitive user data. This comprehensive overview delves into the core of the VPPA allegations, the specifics of the multi-million dollar settlement, the critical deadlines that have passed, and the broader implications for the entire landscape of digital streaming and consumer data rights. For millions of Tubi users, this settlement represents a tangible victory for digital privacy in an era where data sharing has become a standard, yet often opaque, business practice for ad-supported platforms.

The Core Allegation: Violating the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA)

The foundation of the *Gregory v. Tubi, Inc.* class action lawsuit rests entirely on the purported violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), a federal law dating back to 1988. The plaintiffs argued that Tubi, a popular ad-supported streaming service owned by Fox Corporation, illegally disclosed users' personally identifiable information (PII) to third parties without obtaining the required informed consent. The lawsuit specifically alleged that Tubi's data sharing practices involved transmitting video viewing data—information about what a user watched—alongside unique identifiers to third-party entities, most notably advertisers and analytics firms. This combination of PII and viewing history, according to the legal claims, constitutes a violation of the VPPA, which strictly prohibits the disclosure of such information.

What is the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA)?

The VPPA was originally enacted in response to a 1988 incident where a newspaper published the video rental records of a Supreme Court nominee. While initially targeting physical video rental stores like Blockbuster, the law has been successfully applied to modern streaming services and digital platforms. The law's key provision is its prohibition on a "video tape service provider" from knowingly disclosing the private viewing records of a consumer. The modern interpretation of the VPPA holds that a streaming service is a "video tape service provider" and that sharing a user's viewing history linked to a unique identifier (like a mobile advertising ID or a user ID) constitutes a prohibited "disclosure" of PII. * Key VPPA Entities: * Video Tape Service Provider (Tubi, Inc.) * Personally Identifiable Information (PII) * Video Viewing Data * Third-Party Entities (Advertisers/Data Brokers) * Informed, Written Consent (The alleged missing element)

The \$19.99 Million Tubi Class Action Settlement Details

After a period of intense legal proceedings, Tubi agreed to a substantial \$19.99 million settlement to resolve the claims against the company. This settlement fund was established to compensate class members who were affected by the alleged privacy breaches. The final approval of the settlement marked a significant milestone, ensuring that the funds could be distributed to eligible users.

Who Was Eligible for a Payout?

The settlement class included any individual in the United States who used the Tubi streaming service and whose PII and video viewing data were allegedly disclosed to a third party between July 19, 2020, and July 28, 2022. * Eligibility Window: July 19, 2020, to July 28, 2022. * Action Required: Class members had to submit a valid claim form to the Settlement Administrator by the specified deadline. * Estimated Payout: While the final amount depended on the total number of approved claims, early reports suggested that individual payouts were around \$51 per claimant.

The Final Legal Timeline and Payout Status (Late 2025)

The most recent updates confirm the finality of the settlement, providing a clear path for the disbursement of funds. 1. Settlement Approval: The court granted final approval to the settlement agreement. 2. Appeal Dismissed: An appeal to the settlement was formally dismissed on September 26, 2025, removing the final legal hurdle. 3. Payout Distribution: The Settlement Administrator began sending payments to approved claimants in October 2025. This makes the information surrounding the Tubi settlement extremely current and relevant.

Broader Implications for the Streaming Industry and Digital Privacy

The Tubi VPPA settlement is not an isolated incident; it is part of a growing trend of digital privacy lawsuits targeting major technology and media companies. The resolution of *Gregory v. Tubi, Inc.* sends a clear message to all ad-supported streaming services and digital platforms: the VPPA is a potent tool for consumer protection, and its requirements for explicit, informed consent for data sharing must be strictly followed.

The Rise of VPPA Litigation

Tubi's case joins a list of similar class actions filed against other major streaming and media platforms, all centered on the same core issue: the alleged illegal sharing of user viewing data with third-party tracking companies. This surge in litigation highlights the tension between the ad-supported business model, which relies on granular user data for targeted advertising, and the legal right of consumers to data privacy. The success of this lawsuit, along with others, is driving a fundamental shift in how companies manage and disclose their data sharing practices. Legal experts and consumer rights advocates are closely monitoring the impact of these settlements on future privacy policies. Companies are now forced to re-evaluate their consent mechanisms to ensure they meet the stringent, outdated, yet effective, standards of the VPPA. * Key Industry Entities Affected: * Ad-Supported Streaming Services * Data Brokers * Digital Rights Organizations * Legal Firms Specializing in Privacy Law * Fox Corporation (Tubi's Parent Company)

Other Legal Battles Involving Tubi and Fox

While the VPPA settlement is the most prominent class action, Tubi and its parent company, Fox Corporation, have faced other legal challenges that underscore a complex corporate environment. These related legal matters contribute to the overall legal profile of the company: * Mass Arbitration Dispute: Tubi filed a separate lawsuit against the law firm Keller Postman LLC regarding the practice of mass arbitration, a tactic where law firms file thousands of individual arbitration demands against a company simultaneously. * Executive Lawsuit: A former Tubi executive filed a lawsuit alleging gender discrimination and a "poisonous corporate culture" at the company, though this is a separate employment matter from the consumer privacy class action. The successful resolution and payout distribution of the \$19.99 million Tubi privacy settlement in late 2025 solidify the VPPA as a cornerstone of US federal law protecting digital consumers. For those who submitted a valid claim, the payments are a direct result of this commitment to holding large corporations accountable for their data sharing and consumer data practices.