Microsoft Teams Lawsuit, Microsoft Teams Class Action Claims Company illegally collects voice data File by February 5, 2026
Microsoft Teams users in Illinois may qualify for a class action lawsuit over alleged illegal voice data collection. Five Illinois residents filed a federal lawsuit on February 5, 2026, claiming Microsoft violated privacy laws by secretly capturing voiceprints during Teams meetings without consent. The case targets Microsoft’s transcription feature introduced in 2021.
KEY LAWSUIT INFORMATION
Case Name: Basich et al. v. Microsoft Corp.
Case Number: 2:26-cv-00422
Court: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Filed: February 5, 2026
Affected Users: Illinois residents who used Microsoft Teams meetings from March 1, 2021 to present
Potential Damages: $1,000-$5,000 per violation under BIPA
What Microsoft Teams Is Accused Of
Microsoft Teams allegedly violated the Illinois Biometric Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting users’ voice biometrics without proper consent or disclosure. The lawsuit focuses on Teams’ automated transcription feature that launched in 2021.
Here’s what allegedly happened. When users participated in Teams meetings with transcription enabled, Microsoft’s software analyzed their voices using a process called “diarization.” This technology identifies individual speakers by examining unique voice characteristics like pitch, tone, and timbre to create voiceprints.
The plaintiffs claim Microsoft never informed Teams meeting participants that their biometric data was being captured. Microsoft also allegedly failed to explain how long this voice data would be stored, what it would be used for, or when it would be destroyed.
Understanding BIPA Violations
Illinois’ Biometric Privacy Act is one of the strictest biometric privacy laws in the United States. Under BIPA, companies must follow specific rules before collecting biometric data like voiceprints, fingerprints, or facial scans.
Companies must:
- Inform users in writing that biometric data is being collected
- Explain the specific purpose for collection
- Disclose how long the data will be stored
- Obtain written consent before any collection begins
- Provide a public retention schedule
The lawsuit alleges Microsoft violated all these requirements. Illinois residents using Teams meetings had their voices analyzed and converted into unique biometric identifiers without ever being asked for permission or told this was happening.
How Microsoft Teams Transcription Works
Microsoft introduced automated transcription to Teams meetings in 2021 to make meetings more accessible and productive. The feature automatically generates written transcripts of spoken conversation during video calls.
To accomplish this, Microsoft’s technology must first identify who is speaking. The diarization process creates individual speaker profiles by analyzing the unique characteristics of each person’s voice. These voiceprints allow the system to label different speakers in the transcript as “Speaker 1,” “Speaker 2,” and so on.
While the transcription feature itself is legal and useful, the lawsuit argues that creating and storing voiceprints qualifies as collecting biometric data under Illinois law. That collection allegedly happened without proper BIPA compliance.
Who Qualifies for This Lawsuit
The plaintiffs seek to represent a class of Microsoft Teams users who meet specific criteria. You may qualify if you:
✓ Resided in Illinois during the class period
✓ Participated in Microsoft Teams meetings where transcription was enabled
✓ Used Teams between March 1, 2021 and the present
✓ Had your voice captured during these meetings
The lawsuit does not require you to have a paid Teams account. Both free and enterprise users who participated in Teams meetings with Illinois residency may qualify.
Potential Damages: What You Could Recover
If the lawsuit succeeds or settles, class members could receive significant compensation under BIPA’s statutory damages structure.
BIPA Damage Amounts:
Negligent Violations: $1,000 per violation
Each time Microsoft collected your voiceprint without consent could count as one violation. If you participated in multiple Teams meetings with transcription enabled, you may have multiple violations.
Intentional or Reckless Violations: $5,000 per violation
If the court determines Microsoft knowingly violated BIPA or acted recklessly, damages increase to $5,000 per violation.
Important: These are statutory damages, meaning you don’t need to prove actual harm or financial loss. BIPA allows recovery simply for the violation itself.
Payment timing depends on the case outcome. This lawsuit was just filed in February 2026 and is in very early stages. Class action litigation typically takes 1-3 years to reach settlement or trial. There are currently no claim deadlines or payment dates.
Similar BIPA Lawsuits Against Tech Companies
Microsoft isn’t the first technology company to face BIPA litigation over voice or biometric data collection. Several major tech firms have recently settled similar cases.
Amazon faced a class action over Alexa voice data collection in Illinois. Google and YouTube settled a facial recognition lawsuit for $6 million. Apple is currently defending a BIPA lawsuit over Siri voice data collection that was recently certified as a class action.
These cases show that Illinois courts take BIPA violations seriously. Settlement amounts in biometric privacy cases have ranged from millions to hundreds of millions of dollars, depending on the number of affected users and violation severity.
What Happens Next in This Lawsuit
The Microsoft Teams lawsuit is in the preliminary stages. Here’s what typically happens in BIPA class action cases:
Phase 1: Class Certification (6-12 months)
Microsoft will likely file motions to dismiss the lawsuit. If those fail, the plaintiffs will ask the court to certify the case as a class action. This determines whether the case can proceed on behalf of all affected Illinois residents.
Phase 2: Discovery (12-18 months)
Both sides exchange documents and evidence. The plaintiffs will seek internal Microsoft documents about Teams transcription, data storage practices, and privacy policies. Microsoft will defend its practices and compliance efforts.
Phase 3: Settlement or Trial
Most class actions settle before trial. If Microsoft agrees to settle, class members would receive notice and instructions for filing claims. If no settlement occurs, the case goes to trial.
How to Monitor This Case
Since this lawsuit was just filed, there is no claims process yet. However, you can take these steps to stay informed:
Check the Court Docket: Visit the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington website and search for Case No. 2:26-cv-00422.
Watch for Class Notices: If the case is certified as a class action, the court will require notice to potential class members through mail, email, or publication.
Follow Class Action News: Websites that track settlements and lawsuits will report major developments in this case.
Contact the Attorneys: The law firms representing the plaintiffs may provide case updates. They include:
- Byrnes Keller Cromwell LLP
- Levin Law P.A.
- Labaton Keller Sucharow LLP
Should You Take Any Action Now?
There is no claim form to file yet. This lawsuit needs court approval before any claims process begins. You do not need to do anything at this time.
However, if you used Microsoft Teams while living in Illinois since March 2021, you should:
Save any documentation showing your Teams usage, such as meeting invitations, calendar entries, or account records. This evidence could help verify your class membership if the case proceeds.
Keep your contact information current with any Microsoft accounts you used for Teams. Class notices are often sent to email addresses on file.
Avoid deleting Teams data that might prove your participation in meetings with transcription enabled.
FAQs About the Microsoft Teams Lawsuit
Q: Is this a settlement I can claim now?
No. This is an active lawsuit filed on February 5, 2026. There is no settlement agreement or claims process yet.
Q: Do I need to live in Illinois now?
Not necessarily. You must have resided in Illinois during the time you used Teams meetings (March 2021 onwards). Current residence may not matter.
Q: What if I used Teams for work?
The lawsuit covers all Teams users, whether using personal accounts or employer-provided accounts. Your employer’s use of Teams doesn’t exclude you from the class.
Q: Will I automatically get paid?
If the case settles or wins at trial and you’re a class member, you’ll likely need to file a claim form to receive payment. The court will provide notice and instructions.
Q: Can I opt out?
Once the case is certified as a class action, class members usually have the right to opt out and pursue individual claims. Details will be provided in the class notice.
Q: How long until this resolves?
Class action lawsuits typically take 1-3 years from filing to settlement or trial verdict. This case was just filed in February 2026.
Q: What if I don’t remember using Teams transcription?
You may still qualify if you participated in any Teams meetings where transcription was enabled, even if you didn’t activate it yourself. The host controls this feature.
Q: Are there tax implications?
BIPA settlements may have tax consequences. Consult a tax professional if you receive a payment.
Last Updated: February 17, 2026
Disclaimer: This article provides information based on the lawsuit complaint and court filings. It is not legal advice. Lawsuit details may change as the case proceeds.
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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