Gregory vs Tubi’s $19.9M Privacy Settlement, Are You Missing Out on Your Cut of This Massive Settlement?
A $19.99 million settlement has been reached in the Gregory vs Tubi lawsuit, benefiting anyone who used the free streaming service between June 23, 2021, and August 26, 2024. If you’ve ever watched movies or shows on Tubi during this period, you could be entitled to cash—but the claim deadline has already passed for this particular settlement.
This case represents one of the largest privacy violation settlements in streaming history, and it’s sending shockwaves through the entire entertainment industry.
What Tubi Got Caught Doing (And Why It Matters)
The lawsuit alleged that Tubi violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by disclosing personally identifiable information of users without complying with the statute. Translation? Every time you watched something on Tubi, the platform was allegedly tracking you and sharing that data without your permission.
Here’s what they allegedly collected:
- Your exact video viewing history
- Device information and location data
- Personal identifiers linked to specific content
- Information about what you watched and when
The lawsuit claimed Tubi shared users’ personally identifiable information and detailed video viewing data with Facebook and other third parties without getting proper consent. This data was then used by advertisers to target you with eerily specific ads based on your streaming habits.
The Federal Law Tubi Allegedly Broke
The Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) prohibits video service providers from knowingly sharing personally identifiable information about a consumer’s video viewing habits without the consumer’s written consent. This law has been on the books since 1988 and exists specifically to protect your privacy when you’re watching videos.
The VPPA was originally passed after a reporter published Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork’s video rental history. Congress decided that what you watch should be private—period.
Why the VPPA is powerful:
- Allows $2,500 in damages per violation
- Can result in class action lawsuits
- Requires actual written consent before sharing
- Applies to all video service providers
How Tubi’s Tracking Tech Worked Against You
According to the complaint, hidden tracking software unlawfully captured and shared personal information without users’ knowledge or consent, compiling data sufficient to identify specific users along with their exact location, device information and details about any video content they viewed.
This wasn’t just basic analytics. Tubi utilized sophisticated tracking technology that collected subscribers’ personally identifiable information, including information which identifies a person as having viewed specific videos on the streaming service.
What this means in practice:
- Advertisers knew exactly what you watched
- Your viewing habits created detailed profiles
- Third parties could target you based on content preferences
- Your “free” streaming came at the cost of your privacy
The $19.99 Million Breakdown: Who Gets Paid?
Members of the Settlement Class who submit valid claims will receive an equal, or pro rata, share of the $19,990,000 settlement fund after all notice and administration costs, a Class Representative service award, and Class Counsel’s attorneys’ fees and expenses have been paid.
Where the money goes:
- Settlement Class Members: Majority of the fund
- Attorneys’ fees: Capped at 35% maximum
- Class Representative: $5,000 service award
- Administration costs: Notice and processing expenses
The amount of each consumer’s cash payout is unknown as it will largely depend on the total number of valid claims that are filed. More claimants means smaller individual payouts, but everyone gets an equal share.
Tubi’s Response: Denial But Deep Pockets
Tubi denies that it violated the law and contests the claim that it violated the VPPA or committed any other wrongdoing. However, to avoid the time, expense, and uncertainty of litigation, the Parties have agreed to settle the lawsuit.
This is standard in class action settlements. Companies rarely admit guilt but pay substantial sums to make cases disappear.
Why Tubi settled:
- Legal costs would exceed settlement amount
- Negative publicity damages brand reputation
- Trial outcomes are unpredictable
- Settlement provides closure and certainty
As part of the settlement, Tubi also updated its privacy policy to provide greater transparency about its data collection, usage, and sharing practices. This means future users should have better protection—at least in theory.
Who Qualified for the Settlement?
You were included in the Settlement if you used the Tubi video streaming service at any time between June 23, 2021, and August 26, 2024.
Eligibility requirements:
- Used Tubi during the class period (June 2021 – August 2024)
- Registered users with email accounts
- Unregistered users who can verify device and dates
- U.S. residents only
You’re only eligible to file a claim if you live in the US. International Tubi users were excluded from the settlement, even if they used the service during the relevant period.
The Timeline: From Lawsuit to Settlement
July 19, 2024: Jacqueline Gregory filed the class action lawsuit claiming hidden tracking software unlawfully captured and shared personal information.
September 2024: Court preliminarily approves the settlement and authorizes notice to class members.
November 28, 2024: Deadline for filing claims (now passed).
December 4, 2024: Final approval hearing scheduled.
Future Date TBD: Payment distribution to approved claimants.
What This Means for Streaming Privacy
The Gregory vs Tubi settlement is a warning shot across the bow of every streaming service that thinks user data is theirs for the taking.
Implications for the industry:
- More VPPA lawsuits against streaming platforms
- Stricter privacy policies and consent requirements
- Increased scrutiny of tracking technologies
- Higher costs for data-driven advertising models
Other streaming services that rely on ad revenue and user tracking should be very nervous right now. The VPPA has teeth, and plaintiffs’ attorneys are watching.
How the Settlement Process Actually Works
Understanding class action settlements helps explain why payouts take so long and amounts are often smaller than expected.
Step 1: Preliminary Approval The Settlement has been preliminarily approved by a court in Winnebago County, Illinois. This means the judge reviewed the settlement terms and found them potentially fair.
Step 2: Notice Period Class members receive notification and can file claims, object, or exclude themselves from the settlement.
Step 3: Final Approval Hearing The court holds a hearing to determine if the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate. Objectors can voice concerns.
Step 4: Payment Distribution After final approval and any appeals, checks or electronic payments go out to approved claimants.
Could You Still Get Money?
Unfortunately, the deadline for filing a claim in this settlement has passed. The November 28, 2024 claim deadline means new claimants cannot join this particular settlement.
However, this doesn’t mean you’re out of luck entirely:
Your options now:
- Monitor for similar settlements from other streaming services
- Check if you qualify for other open class actions
- File individual VPPA lawsuits (though less practical)
- Stay informed about privacy violation cases
The silver lining? Tubi updated its privacy policy to provide greater transparency about its data collection, usage, and sharing practices, which should protect current users.
Legal Precedents Set by This Case
The Gregory vs Tubi settlement reinforces several important legal principles:
VPPA applies to streaming services: Courts confirm that modern streaming platforms are “video tape service providers” under the 1988 law.
Tracking tech counts as disclosure: Using cookies and pixels to share viewing data with third parties violates the VPPA without proper consent.
Written consent means written consent: Buried terms of service don’t constitute the “informed written consent” required by law.
Class actions work: Collective legal action remains effective against privacy violations by major corporations.
What Other Streaming Services Need to Learn
Every streaming platform should be taking notes from Tubi’s expensive lesson:
Best practices going forward:
- Implement clear, explicit consent mechanisms
- Separate privacy policies from general terms
- Regularly audit data sharing partnerships
- Minimize collection of personally identifiable information
- Be transparent about tracking technologies
The alternative? Risk becoming the next $20 million settlement headline.
The Bigger Picture: Your Digital Privacy
The Tubi case is part of a larger trend of consumers pushing back against unchecked data collection.
Recent privacy settlements:
- Google Location Tracking: $391 million
- Facebook Cambridge Analytica: $725 million
- Zoom Privacy Practices: $85 million
- TikTok Children’s Privacy: $92 million
Companies are learning that privacy violations have real financial consequences. But are the settlements large enough to change behavior?
Expert Perspectives on the Settlement
Privacy attorneys view the Tubi settlement as significant but not unprecedented. The VPPA has generated numerous settlements over the years, but streaming services seemed to think they were immune.
Why this matters: Legal experts note that streaming platforms operate in a gray area—they’re clearly providing video content, but many argued the VPPA was outdated and didn’t apply to them. Courts are increasingly rejecting this argument.
The $19.99 million figure is substantial enough to get attention but probably won’t bankrupt Tubi or deter other companies from similar practices. The real deterrent is the precedent and publicity.
FAQs About the Gregory vs Tubi Settlement
Q: Can I still file a claim for the Tubi settlement?
A: No. The deadline for filing a claim in this settlement has passed. The November 28, 2024 cutoff means new claimants cannot participate in this specific settlement.
Q: How much money will each person receive from the settlement?
A: The exact amount each claimant will receive depends on the total number of valid claims submitted. The $19.99 million is divided equally among all approved claimants after deducting fees and costs. Estimates vary, but individual payouts typically range from $20 to $100 in settlements like this.
Q: Did Tubi admit they broke the law?
A: No. The proposed Settlement is not an admission of wrongdoing by Tubi, and Tubi denies that it violated the law. This is standard in class action settlements—companies settle to avoid litigation costs and uncertainty without admitting liability.
Q: What was the Video Privacy Protection Act violation?
A: The lawsuit alleges that Tubi violated the VPPA by allegedly disclosing personally identifiable information of Tubi users without complying with the statute. Specifically, Tubi allegedly shared users’ personally identifiable information and detailed video viewing data with Facebook and other third parties without getting proper consent.
Q: Who was eligible for the Tubi settlement?
A: Anyone who used the Tubi video streaming service at any time between June 23, 2021, and August 26, 2024 was eligible. This included both registered users and those who used Tubi without creating an account, provided they could verify their device type and usage dates.
Q: When will settlement payments be distributed?
A: Payments will be issued after the final approval hearing and resolution of any appeals. The final approval hearing was scheduled for December 4, 2024, but payments typically take several months after final court approval.
Q: Can I exclude myself from the settlement?
A: The exclusion deadline has passed along with the claim deadline. If you excluded yourself from the Settlement, you would not receive any cash payment but would not release any claims and would be free to pursue whatever legal rights you may have by pursuing your own lawsuit.
Q: Are there other similar settlements I might qualify for?
A: Yes! Many streaming services, social media platforms, and apps face similar privacy violation lawsuits. Check class action settlement websites regularly or subscribe to settlement alert services to learn about opportunities you might qualify for.
Key Takeaways for Consumers
The Gregory vs Tubi settlement teaches several critical lessons:
Nothing is truly “free”: Free streaming services monetize your data. You’re the product being sold to advertisers.
Read privacy policies carefully: Understanding what data companies collect and share helps you make informed choices.
Join class actions when eligible: These settlements provide compensation and push companies to improve practices.
Your viewing history is valuable: Companies profit from knowing what you watch. Protect this information.
Federal laws protect you: The VPPA exists specifically to safeguard your video privacy—use it.
What Happens Next?
The legal process continues even after the claim deadline passes:
The case’s final approval hearing is scheduled for 11am on December 4, 2024, where it will be determined if the settlement is fair, reasonable, adequate, and in the best interests of the class.
After final approval, the settlement administrator will:
- Review and validate all submitted claims
- Calculate individual payment amounts
- Distribute checks or electronic payments
- Handle any appeals or objections
The entire process typically takes 6-12 months from final approval to payment distribution.
The Future of Streaming Privacy
The Tubi settlement is unlikely to be the last of its kind. As streaming services proliferate and compete for ad revenue, the temptation to monetize user data grows stronger.
What to watch for:
- More VPPA lawsuits against streaming platforms
- Legislation updating privacy laws for the digital age
- Increased consumer awareness about data practices
- Industry-wide changes to tracking and consent
The question isn’t whether more settlements will come—it’s which streaming service will be next.
Protecting Yourself Going Forward
Don’t wait for the next class action lawsuit to protect your privacy:
Actionable steps:
- Review and adjust privacy settings on all streaming apps
- Use VPNs to minimize tracking
- Read terms of service before agreeing
- Opt out of data sharing when possible
- Support privacy-focused alternatives
Your digital footprint is permanent. Every video you watch, every show you binge, every movie you stream—it’s all potentially being tracked, packaged, and sold.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call for the Industry
The Gregory vs Tubi lawsuit settlement represents more than just a $19.99 million payout. It’s a clear message that streaming services cannot hide behind “free” business models while secretly profiting from user data without proper consent.
The settlement has been preliminarily approved by a court in Winnebago County, Illinois, and awaits final approval. While the claim deadline has passed for this case, it serves as a template for future privacy violation lawsuits against streaming platforms.
For consumers, the lesson is clear: there’s no such thing as a free lunch—or a free streaming service. You’re always paying, either with money or with your data. The Tubi settlement proves that when companies cross the line, they can be held accountable.
The real question is whether this settlement will change industry practices or simply become another cost of doing business. Only time—and future lawsuits—will tell.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information presented is based on publicly available court documents and settlement information. If you believe your privacy rights have been violated, consult with a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances significantly impact legal outcomes. This article does not guarantee eligibility for any settlement or legal remedy.
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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