Crunchyroll Lawsuit Claim 2026, Is There Still Money on the Table?
If you searched “how to claim the Crunchyroll lawsuit,” here is the straight answer: the 2023 settlement claim deadline has permanently closed, and no claim form is open right now. But a brand-new Crunchyroll lawsuit was filed in March 2026 over the same type of privacy violation — and if you are a current or past subscriber, it directly affects you. Here is everything you need to know.
The Two Crunchyroll Lawsuits Explained
There are two separate cases. They involve the same core issue — Crunchyroll allegedly sharing your private viewing data without your permission — but they are at completely different stages.
| 2023 Settlement | 2026 Lawsuit | |
| Status | Closed — payments sent | Active litigation |
| Claim Form Open? | No — permanently closed | No — not yet |
| Deadline | December 12, 2023 (passed) | TBD |
| Payout Per Person | ~$30 | TBD |
| What You Can Do Now | Nothing — deadline has passed | Save your account records |
The 2023 Settlement: Already Closed
Sony Pictures and Crunchyroll reached a $16 million nationwide video privacy class action settlement to resolve claims that the company shared subscribers’ personal information with third-party companies such as Facebook, Google, Adobe, and others without consent.
Readers reported this settlement paying out up to $31.24. The court granted this settlement final on January 2024, and payments went out by April 2024.
The claim deadline was December 12, 2023. That window is permanently shut. If you missed it, you cannot go back and file now. No exceptions exist.
The 2026 Lawsuit: Real, But No Claim Form Yet
A new case was filed on March 5, 2026. Lead plaintiff Francisco Cabonios and four others filed a class action lawsuit against Crunchyroll LLC, alleging Crunchyroll violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by disclosing users’ video viewing data to a third-party marketing company without consent.
The plaintiffs allege that Crunchyroll shared their personal information — including email addresses, device IDs, and anime streaming history — with a third-party company called Braze without their consent.
Over time, through repeated transmissions during multiple viewing sessions, the app allegedly facilitated the building of comprehensive profiles of each user’s viewing behaviour.
The lawsuit also points out that Crunchyroll previously settled a similar lawsuit for alleged VPPA violations involving the Facebook Pixel tool and at the time agreed to refrain from such tracking practices — yet the company has continued to violate the statute through its use of Braze.
There is no settlement and no claim form open for the 2026 lawsuit right now. The case is in early litigation. A claim form will only open if and when a settlement is approved by the court — which could take a year or more.
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Who May Qualify for the 2026 Lawsuit?
No class has been certified yet, but based on the complaint you may qualify if:
- You are a U.S. resident
- You have or had a registered Crunchyroll account
- You streamed anime or video content using the Crunchyroll app or website
- Your viewing history, email address, or device ID may have been shared with Braze without your consent
- You did not give Crunchyroll written permission to share your viewing data with third-party marketing companies
You do not need to sign up anywhere right now. If a settlement is reached, Crunchyroll will be required to notify class members — typically by email to the address linked to your account.
What To Do Right Now (3 Steps)
You cannot file a claim today, but you can prepare so you are ready the moment a settlement is announced.
Step 1 — Save proof of your subscription. Locate any email receipts, bank statements, or in-app subscription confirmations showing you paid for or used Crunchyroll. Screenshot your account profile page showing your account creation date.
Step 2 — Make sure your email address on file is current. If a settlement is reached, claim notices go to the email address associated with your Crunchyroll account. Log in and confirm your email is correct and one you actively check.
Step 3 — Bookmark this page and check back. This article will be updated the moment a settlement is announced and a claim form goes live. You can also monitor the official court docket: the case is Cabonios et al. v. Crunchyroll LLC, Case No. 2:26-cv-02373, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
How Much Could the 2026 Settlement Pay?
Nothing is confirmed. But the 2023 settlement gives a useful baseline.
The 2026 lawsuit seeks $2,500 per VPPA violation per class member, plus punitive damages. That is the maximum the law allows — actual settlement payouts are almost always lower than the amount sought in a complaint, because the total fund gets divided among all class members who file valid claims.
Based on the timeline of the 2023 case — which took roughly 14 months from filing to final approval — a resolution in the 2026 case is unlikely before late 2027 at the earliest. That timeline could be shorter if Crunchyroll moves quickly to settle, or longer if the case goes to trial.
All payout figures for 2026 are TBD.
Important Dates
| Milestone | Date |
| 2023 Settlement Claim Deadline | December 12, 2023 — CLOSED |
| 2023 Settlement Payments Sent | April 2024 — PAID OUT |
| 2026 Lawsuit Filed | March 5, 2026 |
| 2026 Settlement Announced | TBD |
| 2026 Claim Form Opens | TBD |
| 2026 Claim Deadline | TBD |
| 2026 Expected Payment Date | TBD — likely late 2027 at earliest |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I still claim the Crunchyroll $16 million settlement?
No. The claim form deadline was December 12, 2023, and that settlement has permanently closed. Payments of approximately $30 per person already went out in April 2024. There is no way to claim that settlement money now.
Is there a new Crunchyroll claim form I can fill out?
Not yet. The 2026 lawsuit was filed in March 2026 and is still in active litigation. No settlement has been reached and no claim form exists. When one opens, it will be posted on the official settlement administrator’s website and class members will be notified by email.
How will I know when I can file a claim?
Crunchyroll will be required to notify class members by email if a settlement is approved. Make sure the email on your Crunchyroll account is one you actively check. You can also bookmark this page — it will be updated immediately when a claim form becomes available.
Do I need a lawyer to file a claim?
No. When a settlement claim form opens, you can file it yourself online for free in just a few minutes. No lawyer or legal knowledge is required.
What did Crunchyroll actually do wrong?
The plaintiffs allege Crunchyroll violated the Video Privacy Protection Act by disclosing users’ personally identifiable information to Braze Inc., a third-party marketing and analytics company, without obtaining proper consent. That information included what specific anime titles and episodes each subscriber watched — data that is private and legally protected under federal law.
I missed the 2023 deadline. Does the 2026 lawsuit help me?
Possibly, yes. The 2026 lawsuit covers conduct that allegedly began in 2022 and continued after the 2023 settlement. If you were a Crunchyroll subscriber during that window and the case settles, you may qualify — regardless of whether you claimed in 2023. The class period dates for 2026 are TBD and will be confirmed when a settlement is announced.
Is this lawsuit legitimate?
Yes. The case — Cabonios et al. v. Crunchyroll LLC, Case No. 2:26-cv-02373 — was filed March 5, 2026, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Court records are publicly searchable on PACER at pacer.gov.
Sources & References
- Official 2023 Settlement Website — crvppasettlement.com
- U.S. District Court for the Central District of California — Case No. 2:26-cv-02373
- CBR — Crunchyroll Sued Over Fans’ Anime Viewing Secrets After $16M Settlement
Last Updated: April 4, 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.
About the Author
Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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