Crunchyroll Class Action, New Lawsuit Claims Viewing Data Shared via Braze SDK

A new class action lawsuit filed on March 5, 2026, alleges that Crunchyroll, LLC, shared users’ private anime viewing history and personal identifiers with third-party marketing firm Braze without obtaining consumer consent. The complaint, filed in an Illinois federal court, claims the streaming giant used an embedded Software Development Kit (SDK) to transmit sensitive data, including email addresses and specific video titles. This active litigation comes only two years after Crunchyroll paid $16,000,000 to settle similar data privacy allegations involving the Facebook Pixel.

Quick Facts Table

Field	Detail
Case Name	Cabonios et al. v. Crunchyroll, LLC
Court	U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
Date Filed	March 5, 2026
Defendant	Crunchyroll, LLC
Lead Plaintiff	Cabonios
Alleged Violation	Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA)
Products / Services Affected	Crunchyroll Mobile Application
Geographic Scope	Nationwide (United States)
Settlement	None — litigation phase only
Claim Form Available	No
Plaintiffs’ Attorneys	TBD

What Actually Happened?

Crunchyroll is currently the world’s largest dedicated anime streaming platform, serving millions of subscribers who access a library of thousands of titles. Following its high-profile merger with Funimation, the service became the primary destination for fans of series like One Piece, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Demon Slayer. Consumers trusted the platform to provide a secure environment where their viewing habits—often considered personal or niche—remained confidential.

The lawsuit was triggered by technical discoveries regarding the Crunchyroll mobile application’s internal code. Security analysts and legal researchers allegedly found that the app contained an embedded Software Development Kit (SDK) from a marketing company called Braze. This tool is designed to help companies send targeted push notifications and emails based on user behavior within the app.

The lead plaintiff, Cabonios, filed the complaint on behalf of a proposed class of millions of U.S. users. The lawsuit claims that Crunchyroll’s use of this SDK resulted in the systematic disclosure of “personally identifiable information” (PII) to a third party. This filing is particularly notable as it highlights that Crunchyroll was already under a court order to change its data-sharing practices following a similar 2023 privacy settlement.

What Does the Lawsuit Allege?

According to the complaint, Crunchyroll knowingly programmed its mobile application to track and disclose specific user actions to Braze. The lawsuit alleges that every time a user watched a video, the app would automatically transmit the user’s email address, unique device identifier (ID), and the exact name of the anime title being streamed. This data allowed Braze to build detailed profiles of individual users’ entertainment preferences for marketing purposes.

The plaintiffs claim that this sharing occurred without the “informed, written consent” required by federal privacy laws. Under the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), video service providers are prohibited from disclosing information that identifies a person as having requested or obtained specific video materials. The complaint argues that the combination of a user’s email or device ID and a specific video title constitutes a clear violation of this legal standard.

Furthermore, the lawsuit describes Crunchyroll’s conduct as “particularly egregious.” The plaintiffs point to the company’s 2023 settlement, where Crunchyroll agreed to implement “meaningful business practice changes” regarding third-party tracking technologies. The new complaint alleges that Crunchyroll failed to properly vet or restrict the Braze SDK, effectively continuing the same types of disclosures it had previously promised to stop.

Related article: The Bouqs Co. Class Action Lawsuit, Washington “Fake Discount” Email Allegations

What Laws Were Allegedly Violated?

The lawsuit cites several key legal violations, with the primary focus on federal privacy protections.

• Video Privacy Protection Act (18 U.S.C. § 2710): This law prohibits “video tape service providers” from disclosing personally identifiable information about their customers’ viewing habits without prior consent. While originally written for VHS rentals, courts now apply it to modern digital streaming services.
• Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act: The complaint alleges that Crunchyroll engaged in deceptive acts by representing to users that their data was private while simultaneously sharing it with marketing firms.
• Breach of Implied Contract: Plaintiffs claim that by paying for a subscription, they entered into an agreement where Crunchyroll was expected to protect their privacy according to the terms of service, which the company allegedly failed to do.

Who Does This Lawsuit Affect?

The proposed class is broad and includes millions of individuals across the United States. You may be affected if:

• You were a registered user of the Crunchyroll mobile application at any time between January 1, 2022, and the present.
• You viewed video content (anime, movies, or shows) through the Crunchyroll app during this period.
• You did not provide explicit, written consent for your viewing history to be shared with third-party marketing companies like Braze.

No action is required right now. There is no claim form to fill out and no money currently available for distribution. Save any purchase records, receipts, or subscription confirmation emails — these may matter if a settlement is reached or if the court certifies the class in the future.

What Is the Company Saying?

Crunchyroll has not issued a public statement in response to the lawsuit as of March 23, 2026. The company typically does not comment on active litigation, but it is expected to file a formal response or a motion to dismiss in the coming months.

In its previous 2023 privacy settlement, Crunchyroll denied all allegations of wrongdoing and stated it agreed to the settlement only to avoid the expense and uncertainty of a prolonged trial. It is likely that the company will take a similar defensive stance, arguing that the Braze SDK was used for internal operational purposes and does not constitute a “disclosure” under the strict definitions of the VPPA. AllAboutLawyer.com will update this article when a response is available.

What Happens Next?

The litigation is currently in its earliest stages, and a resolution could take several years. Here is the realistic roadmap for the case:

• Defendant’s Response: Crunchyroll will file an answer to the complaint or a motion to dismiss, likely arguing that the plaintiffs have not shown a specific injury.
• Discovery Phase: If the case moves forward, both sides will exchange documents, emails, and internal data regarding the app’s code and marketing contracts.
• Class Certification: A judge must decide if the case can proceed as a “class action” representing millions of people or if it must remain an individual lawsuit.
• Trial or Settlement: Most class actions of this nature end in a settlement before reaching a jury trial, often resulting in small payments to affected users and changes to company privacy settings.

This page will be updated as the case develops.

Important Case Dates

Milestone	Date
Lawsuit Filed	March 5, 2026
Defendant Answer Due	TBD
Discovery Period	TBD
Class Certification Hearing	TBD
Trial Date (if set)	TBD
Settlement (if reached)	TBD

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the Crunchyroll lawsuit real/legitimate?

Yes, the lawsuit is a legitimate legal filing. It was officially submitted to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois on March 5, 2026, under case number 2:26-cv-02373. The lead plaintiff is represented by consumer privacy attorneys.

Can I file a claim against Crunchyroll right now?

No, there is currently no claim form available. This is an active lawsuit, meaning the court has not yet decided if the plaintiffs are correct. If the case eventually settles or the plaintiffs win at trial, a claim process will be established.

Do I need a lawyer to join this lawsuit?

No, you do not need to hire your own lawyer to be part of the class. If the court certifies the case as a class action, the lead plaintiff’s attorneys will represent the interests of all affected Crunchyroll users automatically.

What happens if the case settles?

If a settlement is reached, Crunchyroll will likely establish a “Common Fund” to pay out affected users. In similar VPPA cases, users have received payments ranging from $10 to $50 each, and the company is usually forced to change its data-sharing policies.

Will I get notified if there is a settlement?

If you are a registered user, you will likely receive an email notification if a settlement is reached. This notification would contain a unique ID and instructions on how to submit a claim for your share of the payout.

What is the specific risk of my data being shared?

The primary risk is a loss of privacy. The lawsuit alleges that marketing firms could link your real-world identity (via email) to your specific viewing history, potentially revealing personal interests or “degenerate” habits to third-party ad networks.

Does this affect my Funimation account?

Since Crunchyroll and Funimation merged their platforms, the focus of this lawsuit is on the consolidated Crunchyroll mobile app. If you transferred your account and used the Crunchyroll app after 2022, you might be included in the affected group.

Should I stop using the Crunchyroll app?

The lawsuit does not allege that the app is “unsafe” or contains malware. It is a dispute over data privacy practices. If you are concerned about your viewing data being shared, you can review the “Privacy Settings” within the Crunchyroll app to opt-out of data sharing where possible.

Last Updated: March 23, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal claims and outcomes depend on specific facts and applicable law. For advice regarding a particular situation, consult a qualified attorney.