JustPlay $4.5 Million BIPA Class Action Settlement, Illinois Users Get $15 Cash Payment—Claim Deadline March 16, 2026
JustPlay agreed to a $4.5 million class action settlement for Illinois residents whose facial biometric data was collected through the app without proper consent. Eligible class members receive a one-time $15 cash payment with no proof required. The claim deadline is March 16, 2026, and the final approval hearing is scheduled for March 31, 2026.
If you used JustPlay’s facial verification feature to cash out rewards in Illinois, you’re automatically part of the settlement class. Here’s what you need to know to claim your payment.
What Is the JustPlay BIPA Settlement About?
JustPlay is a mobile gaming rewards app that lets users earn coins by playing games. Users can convert those coins into cash payouts. To prevent fraud and verify users weren’t minors during cash-out, JustPlay implemented facial recognition technology through FaceTec software.
The lawsuit, Angela Brewer v. JustPlay, et al., Case No. 2025LA000230, alleges JustPlay violated Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act by collecting, capturing, possessing, using, transmitting, and storing biometric information without obtaining prior written consent from users. The case is pending in the Circuit Court for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, Sangamon County, Illinois.
JustPlay denies any wrongdoing. The company agreed to settle to avoid the costs, risks, and uncertainties of continued litigation.
Who Qualifies for the Settlement?
You’re eligible if you meet this definition: “All living Illinois citizens whose Biometrics were collected, captured, possessed, used, transmitted, disseminated, stored, or otherwise obtained by Defendants via the JustPlay Application without prior written consent.”
Specifically, you qualify if:
You’re an Illinois resident. You must have been a living Illinois citizen when JustPlay collected your biometric data through the app.
JustPlay collected your biometrics. The settlement covers facial geometry data collected through the JustPlay app’s facial verification system used during cash-out processes.
No written consent was obtained. JustPlay collected your biometric information without getting your prior written consent as required by BIPA.
Excluded from the class are officers, directors, or governing board members of JustPlay, governmental entities, the court, the court’s immediate family, court staff, and anyone who validly opts out of the settlement.
How Much Will You Receive?
Each eligible class member receives a one-time $15.00 cash payment. You don’t need to provide any proof or explanation to claim this payment.
If the total dollar amount of all valid claims, settlement administration costs, court-approved attorneys’ fees and costs, and the service award exceeds the $4.5 million settlement fund, the $15 cash payment will decrease pro rata on an equal percentage basis. This ensures JustPlay’s maximum payment doesn’t exceed $4.5 million.
From the settlement fund, attorneys’ fees of up to $1,687,500, a $2,000 service award for the class representative, and settlement administration costs will be deducted before distributing class member payments.
Understanding BIPA Violations
Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act is one of the strictest biometric privacy laws in the United States. BIPA protects five categories of biometric identifiers: fingerprints, voiceprints, retina or iris scans, hand scans, and facial geometry scans.
The law requires private companies to obtain informed written consent before collecting biometric data, publish retention policies explaining how long biometric information will be kept and when it will be deleted, and protect stored biometric data using reasonable security standards.
Similar to violations alleged in the TikTok Class Action Lawsuit biometric privacy and data tracking concerns, JustPlay allegedly collected facial geometry data—unique measurements of facial features—without providing adequate written notice or obtaining proper informed consent as BIPA requires.
BIPA allows individuals to sue companies for violations and recover statutory damages of $1,000 per negligent violation or $5,000 per intentional or reckless violation. The $4.5 million settlement provides compensation without requiring individual lawsuits.
How to File a Claim
Filing a claim is simple. You have two options:
Online Filing (Fastest). Visit www.JustPlayBIPASettlement.com and submit your claim form online. If you received an email notice, use your unique ID and PIN from that notice to complete the form.
Mail Filing. Download the claim form from www.JustPlayBIPASettlement.com or request one by calling 1-833-647-8940. Mail the completed and signed form to:
JustPlay BIPA Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 25226
Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
Claim Deadline: Online submissions must be completed by March 16, 2026. Mailed claims must be postmarked no later than March 16, 2026.
You don’t need a lawyer to file a claim. Class counsel receives fees from the settlement fund, not from individual claimants.
Critical Deadlines
March 2, 2026 – Opt-Out and Objection Deadline. If you want to exclude yourself from the settlement and preserve your right to sue JustPlay individually, your written opt-out request must be postmarked by this date. If you disagree with the settlement terms, your written objection must be filed with the court by this date.
March 16, 2026 – Claim Deadline. All claims must be submitted online or postmarked by this date to receive payment.
March 31, 2026 – Final Approval Hearing. The court will decide whether to approve the settlement at 10:30 a.m. Central Time in the Circuit Court for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, Sangamon County, Illinois.
What Rights You Release
By remaining in the settlement class and accepting payment, you release all legal claims against JustPlay related to the biometric data collection alleged in this lawsuit. You cannot file individual lawsuits for the same BIPA violations covered by this settlement.
The release covers the specific time period and conduct described in the settlement agreement. Future BIPA violations after the class period aren’t covered by this release.
How to Opt Out or Object
Opting Out: If you want to preserve your right to sue JustPlay individually, you must mail a written opt-out request postmarked by March 2, 2026. Your request must include the litigation name and case number, your full name, mailing address, telephone number, email address, personal signature, and the words “Opt-Out Request.” Mail to the settlement administrator address above with “ATTN: Opt-Out Request” on the envelope.
Objecting: If you disagree with the settlement but want to remain eligible for payment, you may file a written objection with the court by March 2, 2026. Your objection must include specific information outlined in the settlement notice, including all grounds for objection, legal support, and whether you plan to appear at the final approval hearing.
You cannot both opt out and object. If you opt out, the settlement no longer affects you, so objections aren’t relevant.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Missing the Claim Deadline. If you don’t file a claim by March 16, 2026, you receive no payment but still release your right to sue JustPlay for the BIPA violations covered by the settlement.
Incomplete Claim Forms. Provide accurate contact information so the settlement administrator can mail your payment check. Update your address if you’ve moved since using the app.
Confusing Opt-Out and Objection. Opting out means you keep your right to sue individually but receive no settlement payment. Objecting means you express disagreement while remaining eligible for payment.
Late Submissions. Online claims must be completed by the deadline. Mailed claims must be postmarked—not received—by March 16, 2026. Don’t wait until the last day to avoid mail delays.
Tax Implications
Settlement payments may be taxable income. The IRS typically treats class action lawsuit settlements as taxable unless they compensate for physical injury. BIPA settlements compensate for privacy violations, not physical harm.
The settlement administrator may issue IRS Form 1099 for payments exceeding certain thresholds. Consult a tax professional about reporting requirements specific to your situation.
Why This Settlement Matters
Biometric data is fundamentally different from passwords or credit card numbers. You can change a password or get a new credit card, but you can’t change your facial geometry. Once biometric information is compromised, the risk is permanent.
BIPA recognizes this unique vulnerability. Illinois enacted BIPA in 2008 to ensure companies treat biometric data with the highest level of care. The law’s strict consent, disclosure, and security requirements protect residents from unauthorized collection and misuse of irreplaceable biological identifiers.
This settlement demonstrates that even apps offering free services must comply with biometric privacy protections. Companies collecting biometric data in Illinois face significant liability for BIPA violations, as shown by other major settlements like the Facebook Class Action Lawsuit BIPA settlement that paid Illinois users hundreds of dollars each for facial recognition violations.
What Happens Next
Settlement payments will be distributed after the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved. The March 31, 2026 final approval hearing is the next major milestone. If the court approves the settlement, appeals may delay payments, though we don’t know if appeals will be filed or how long they might take.
Monitor www.JustPlayBIPASettlement.com for updates on the final approval hearing, payment distribution timeline, and any changes to deadlines or procedures.
Contact the settlement administrator with questions:
- Phone: 1-833-647-8940 (toll-free, 24/7)
- Email: [email protected]
- Mail: JustPlay BIPA Settlement, c/o Settlement Administrator, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need proof to claim my $15 payment?
No. You don’t need to provide any proof or explanation to claim your payment. The settlement administrator will verify class membership using JustPlay’s records. Simply submit your claim form by March 16, 2026.
What if I deleted the JustPlay app?
You still qualify if JustPlay collected your biometric data through the app while you were an Illinois resident. Deleting the app doesn’t affect eligibility. The settlement administrator uses JustPlay’s records to verify class membership.
Can I still use JustPlay if I participate in the settlement?
Yes. Participating in the settlement doesn’t affect your ability to use the app. The settlement addresses past biometric data collection practices and doesn’t require you to stop using JustPlay’s services.
What if I moved out of Illinois after using JustPlay?
You still qualify if you were an Illinois resident when JustPlay collected your biometric data. Current residency doesn’t matter—only your residency status when the biometric collection occurred.
When will I receive my settlement check?
Payments will be distributed approximately 60-90 days after the court grants final approval at the March 31, 2026 hearing, assuming no appeals delay the process. Be patient, as legal procedures take time.
What if I never received a settlement notice?
You may still qualify. Contact the settlement administrator at 1-833-647-8940 or [email protected] to verify your eligibility. You can submit a claim even if you didn’t receive direct notice, especially if JustPlay doesn’t have your current address.
How does this compare to other BIPA settlements?
This settlement offers $15 per class member, which is lower than some major BIPA settlements like Facebook’s $650 million settlement that paid Illinois users $300-$400 each. Payment amounts vary based on settlement size, number of claimants, and violation severity.
Last Updated: January 19, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides general information about the JustPlay $4.5 Million BIPA Class Action Settlement based on official settlement documents and court filings. It does not constitute legal advice. Settlement terms are subject to final court approval. For specific questions about your eligibility or rights, contact the settlement administrator at 1-833-647-8940 or consult a qualified attorney.
Sources:
- Official Settlement Notice – Angela Brewer v. JustPlay, et al., Case No. 2025LA000230
- Settlement Website FAQ – JustPlay BIPA Settlement Administrator
- Settlement Agreement – Circuit Court for the Seventh Judicial Circuit, Sangamon County, Illinois
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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.
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