University of Phoenix $8.75 Million Pixel Privacy Settlement, Who Qualifies for the $25 Payment, How to Claim and the November 5, 2026 Deadline

The University of Phoenix has agreed to settle a class action accusing it of sharing students’ personal information with Meta Platforms and other third parties through website tracking tools without proper consent. Qualifying students can claim a $25 cash payment, but only by submitting a claim form by November 5, 2026. The case is Brand, et al. v. The University of Phoenix, Inc., Case No. 2026LA000170, in the Circuit Court for Sangamon County, Illinois.

The settlement is capped at $8.75 million. The University of Phoenix denies violating any law and agreed to settle to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continuing the case. The court has not yet given final approval.

Official settlement website: UOPPixelSettlement.com

File a claim online: uoppixelsettlement.com/form/claim (use the Login ID and PIN from your notice email)

Not the same as the data breach case: This is a website privacy settlement. It is separate from the University of Phoenix student data-breach lawsuit. Being included in one does not mean you qualify for the other.

University of Phoenix Pixel Settlement: Quick Facts

Detail	Information
Case name	Brand, et al. v. The University of Phoenix, Inc.
Case number	2026LA000170
Court	Circuit Court for Sangamon County, Illinois, Seventh Judicial Circuit
Judge	The Honorable Gail L. Noll
Class representatives	Lauren Brand and Janielle Dawson
Maximum settlement funding	$8,750,000
Payment per approved claim	$25.00, subject to pro rata reduction if the maximum is reached
Claim form required	Yes
Official settlement website	UOPPixelSettlement.com
Online claim form	uoppixelsettlement.com/form/claim
Claim, opt-out and objection deadline	November 5, 2026
Preliminary approval	September 22, 2026
Notice emails sent	October 6, 2026
Final approval hearing	November 20, 2026, 9:30 a.m. Central Time, by Zoom
Settlement administrator	Simpluris
Administrator contact	(866) 675-2696
Admission of fault	None. The University of Phoenix denies wrongdoing

Who Qualifies for the University of Phoenix Settlement?

The settlement class has two parts: one for the United States generally and a longer one for Illinois.

Group	Enrolled at the University of Phoenix
Individuals in the United States	From April 1, 2023 through the date class notice went out
Individuals in Illinois	From April 1, 2020 through the date class notice went out

The settlement website’s homepage describes the end of the class period as October 6, 2026, the date notice emails were sent. The claim page words the end date a little differently, so confirm the cutoff on your notice if you enrolled close to that date.

Excluded from the class are entities in which the University of Phoenix has a controlling interest, its officers and directors, and the presiding judge and the judge’s immediate family.

Enrollment alone is not enough

The claim form asks you to declare, under penalty of perjury, that all three of these are true:

1. You visited a website owned or operated by the University of Phoenix between April 1, 2023 (or April 1, 2020 if you were in Illinois) and October 6, 2026.
2. Your browser settings were not set to block cookies or tracking.
3. You did not use privacy extensions to block cookies.

Read those statements carefully before you sign. If any of them is not true for you, do not submit a claim. Ask the administrator or a lawyer first.

How Much Is the University of Phoenix Settlement Payment?

Each class member with an approved claim can receive $25.00. If total approved claims push the settlement to its $8,750,000 cap, payments are reduced proportionally. The $25 is a proposed amount, not a guaranteed one.

The cap is shared with other costs. The University of Phoenix agreed to pay approved claims, notice and administration expenses, court-approved attorneys’ fees and costs, and service awards for the class representatives. Class Counsel will ask for up to 35% of the $8.75 million maximum (up to $3,062,500), and the two class representatives will each ask for up to $5,000. The court may award less.

Changes to the University of Phoenix website

Beyond cash, the University of Phoenix agreed to tell people in the United States who enroll through its website (phoenix.edu) that the site uses cookies and similar tools, through a banner and through its privacy policy.

How to File a Claim in the University of Phoenix Settlement

You must submit a claim form to get paid. Doing nothing means no payment.

Step 1: Find your Login ID and PIN

They are at the top left of the notice email sent on or around October 6, 2026. If you did not receive the email but think you qualify, email [email protected] with your full name and mailing address, or call (866) 675-2696.

Step 2: File online or by mail

Log in on the claim page of the official settlement website (linked at the top of this article). Or download the paper claim form and mail it to:

University of Phoenix Pixel Settlement c/o Settlement Administrator P.O. Box 25191 Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

Mailed forms must be postmarked by November 5, 2026. Keep a copy of your form and proof of mailing or online submission.

Step 3: Choose how to be paid

A check is the default. You can instead choose Zelle, Venmo, PayPal or a similar electronic option offered by the administrator.

Scam warning: Use only the official settlement website and the contact details on your notice. The administrator will not charge you a fee to file, and you should not share your Login ID and PIN with anyone who contacts you unexpectedly.

Your Options: Claim, Opt Out, Object or Do Nothing

Option	What it means	Deadline
Submit a claim	The only way to get a cash payment; you give up the right to sue over these claims	November 5, 2026
Exclude yourself (opt out)	No payment, but you keep your right to sue the University of Phoenix over these claims	November 5, 2026
Object	Tell the court why you do not like the settlement; you must stay in the class	November 5, 2026
Do nothing	No payment, and you give up the right to sue over these claims	None

How to opt out

Send a letter by mail or other delivery by November 5, 2026 that includes your name, your address, your signature, the case name and number (Brand, et al. v. The University of Phoenix, Inc., Case No. 2026LA000170), and a statement that you want to be excluded. Send it to:

University of Phoenix Pixel Settlement Attn: Exclusion Requests P.O. Box 25191 Santa Ana, CA 92799

If you opt out, do not submit a claim form. You cannot receive payment and you cannot object.

How to object

File a letter or brief with the court by November 5, 2026 and mail copies to Class Counsel and the University of Phoenix’s counsel. It must include your name and address, an explanation of why you are a class member, all grounds for the objection with supporting authority and evidence, the contact information of any lawyer helping you, and your signature. If you or your lawyer have previously objected to class settlements in exchange for payment, you must list each case.

To speak at the final approval hearing, say so in the same letter by including a “Notice of Intent to Appear” with your name, address, telephone number and signature.

Send to	Address
Court	The Hon. Gail L. Noll, Circuit Court, Sangamon County, 200 South 9th Street, Springfield, IL 62701
Class Counsel	Joshua D. Arisohn, Arisohn LLC, 94 Blakeslee Road, Litchfield, CT 06759; Scott R. Drury, Drury Legal, LLC, 6 Carriage Lane, Highwood, IL 60040
Defendant’s counsel	Joel C. Griswold, Baker & Hostetler LLP, One North Wacker Drive, Suite 3700, Chicago, IL 60606-2859

What Claims Do You Give Up?

Unless you opt out, you release the University of Phoenix and certain affiliates from the claims this settlement resolves, whether or not you file a claim for money. If the court grants final approval and the settlement becomes final, you cannot bring those claims in your own lawsuit. The specific release language is in paragraphs 1.25 to 1.27 and 3.1 to 3.2 of the Settlement Agreement, which is posted on the official documents page. Read it before you decide.

Key Dates: University of Phoenix Settlement Timeline

Date	Event
April 1, 2020	Illinois class period begins
April 1, 2023	Nationwide class period begins
September 22, 2026	Preliminary approval granted
October 6, 2026	Notification emails sent
November 5, 2026	Claim, opt-out and objection deadline
November 20, 2026, 9:30 a.m.	Final approval hearing (virtual, via Zoom)
About 100 days after final approval	Expected payment timing, if approved and no appeals

The hearing may be postponed without notice. The Zoom meeting details are on the settlement website’s FAQ page, so check there before the hearing.

When Will Settlement Payments Be Sent?

At the final approval hearing, the judge will consider whether the settlement is fair, reasonable and adequate, and will rule on the requested attorneys’ fees, costs and service awards. If the court approves the settlement, approved claimants should be paid about 100 days after final approval, or after any appeals are resolved.

With a hearing on November 20, 2026, that points to early 2027 at the earliest, assuming approval and no appeals. That is an estimate based on the 100-day figure, not a date the settlement website gives. No payment date is guaranteed.

What Is the University of Phoenix Pixel Privacy Lawsuit About?

The lawsuit claims the University of Phoenix disclosed students’ personally identifiable information to Meta Platforms, Inc. and other third parties without consent. The case was brought by Lauren Brand and Janielle Dawson as proposed class representatives.

What is a tracking pixel?

A tracking pixel is a small piece of code on a website that can send information about a visitor’s activity, such as pages viewed or buttons clicked, to another company like Meta. Depending on how it is set up and what data it sends, it can link a person’s browsing to their identity, which is where privacy concerns arise. The settlement materials do not describe the specific technology in detail, and the university denies that it violated any law.

The settlement resolves the disputed claims without a trial or a court finding that the university is liable. It is not a finding that the university unlawfully disclosed every student’s information.

What Laws Are Involved in the Lawsuit?

The plaintiffs say the university’s tracking practices violated three laws. The settlement does not establish that any was violated.

Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA)

The Video Privacy Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. section 2710, generally prohibits a “video tape service provider” from knowingly disclosing a consumer’s personally identifiable information, including information identifying a person as having requested or obtained specific video materials. It allows a civil lawsuit and provides for liquidated damages of $2,500 per violation, plus attorneys’ fees. Many pixel cases are brought under the VPPA because of that statutory damages figure. Federal appeals courts have reached different conclusions on who counts as a “consumer” and what counts as personally identifiable information, so how the law applies to a university’s website is contested.

Electronic Communications Privacy Act (ECPA)

The ECPA includes the federal Wiretap Act (18 U.S.C. section 2510 and following), which generally prohibits intercepting the contents of electronic communications without consent. It allows a civil action under section 2520 for actual damages or statutory damages, and punitive damages and attorneys’ fees in some cases. The Act has exceptions, including where a party to the communication consents, so the outcome of a pixel case can turn on who consented and whether the interception was done to commit a crime or tort.

Illinois Eavesdropping Act

The Illinois Eavesdropping Act (720 ILCS 5/14-1 and following) restricts certain recording and interception of private communications and provides a civil remedy for victims. The plaintiffs invoke it because the case is in Illinois state court and because the Illinois class period starts earlier, on April 1, 2020.

Illinois class action and settlement approval rules

The case is in an Illinois state court, so Illinois class action law applies. Under section 2-801 of the Illinois Code of Civil Procedure (735 ILCS 5/2-801), a class can be certified only if it meets requirements such as numerosity, common questions, adequate representation and that a class action is an appropriate way to resolve the dispute. Under section 2-806 (735 ILCS 5/2-806), a class action cannot be dismissed or compromised without court approval. That is why the court must hold a fairness hearing and why class members can object.

Is This the Same as the University of Phoenix Data Breach Lawsuit?

No. These are separate matters, and students should not confuse them.

The $8.75 million pixel privacy settlement concerns allegations that website tracking technologies shared students’ personally identifiable information with Meta and other third parties without proper consent. A separate lawsuit reported in January 2026 concerned a cybersecurity incident involving University of Phoenix systems and Oracle software, in which hackers allegedly accessed student information, including sensitive personal and financial details.

The two matters involve different alleged conduct and different legal issues. Qualifying for one does not make you eligible for the other.

Who Are the Lawyers in the Settlement?

The court appointed Joshua D. Arisohn of Arisohn LLC and Scott R. Drury of Drury Legal, LLC as Class Counsel. You are not charged separately for their work, since fees are paid from the settlement if the court approves them. You may hire your own lawyer at your own expense. The University of Phoenix is represented by Joel C. Griswold of Baker & Hostetler LLP. Class Counsel can be reached at (917) 656-0569. Do not contact the court with questions about the settlement; contact the administrator.

What Happens If You Do Nothing?

If you do not submit a claim by November 5, 2026, you will not receive a cash payment. If you also do not opt out, you may still be bound by the settlement’s release of claims once it becomes final. That means you could give up the right to bring the covered claims even though you never filed for money, which is why it matters to understand the difference between claiming, objecting and opting out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the University of Phoenix pixel settlement legitimate?

Yes. It has an official court-authorized website, a named court and case number, and an independent administrator (Simpluris). The settlement still needs final court approval.

How much is the settlement?

The maximum funding is $8.75 million. Each approved claim gets $25, reduced proportionally if the cap is reached, and the cap also covers fees, costs, administration and service awards.

What is the claim deadline?

November 5, 2026. Online claims must be submitted by that date, and mailed claims must be postmarked by that date.

Do I have to file a claim to get paid?

Yes. A claim form is the only way to receive a cash payment.

Who is eligible?

People in the U.S. enrolled at the University of Phoenix from April 1, 2023 through the notice date, and people in Illinois enrolled from April 1, 2020 through the notice date. You must also be able to truthfully make the website-use declarations on the claim form.

Does everyone who attended the university qualify?

No. Enrollment alone does not guarantee eligibility. You must meet the enrollment period and the declarations about visiting the website and not blocking cookies or tracking.

I did not get an email notice. Can I still claim?

Possibly. Email [email protected] with your full name and mailing address to request your Login ID and PIN, or call (866) 675-2696. You can also use the paper claim form.

Did the University of Phoenix admit wrongdoing?

No. It denies violating any law and settled to avoid the cost and uncertainty of continuing the case.

Is this the University of Phoenix data breach settlement?

No. This settlement concerns website tracking and privacy allegations. A separate lawsuit concerns a reported cybersecurity incident involving student data.

When will payments arrive?

About 100 days after final approval, or after any appeals are resolved. With a November 20, 2026 hearing, that is early 2027 at the earliest. No date is guaranteed.

Are settlement payments taxable?

Tax treatment depends on your situation. Settlement payments may be taxable income in some circumstances. Consult a tax professional if you are unsure.

Where can I get help?

Contact the settlement administrator at [email protected] or (866) 675-2696, or Class Counsel at (917) 656-0569.

Bottom Line

The University of Phoenix pixel settlement offers a proposed $25 payment to qualifying students, with funding capped at $8.75 million. You must file a claim by November 5, 2026, and you must be able to truthfully make the website-use declarations on the form. The same date is the deadline to opt out or object. The final approval hearing is November 20, 2026, and payments are expected about 100 days after final approval if there are no appeals.

This is separate from the University of Phoenix data breach case. Check your notice email for your Login ID and PIN, and review the official settlement website before you decide.

Sources

• Official settlement website: https://uoppixelsettlement.com/
• Settlement FAQ: https://uoppixelsettlement.com/faq/
• Online claim form: https://uoppixelsettlement.com/form/claim
• Important dates: https://uoppixelsettlement.com/dates/
• Important documents (including the Settlement Agreement): https://uoppixelsettlement.com/documents/
• Contact the settlement administrator: https://uoppixelsettlement.com/contact/
• Video Privacy Protection Act, 18 U.S.C. section 2710: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/2710
• Wiretap Act and related provisions, 18 U.S.C. chapter 119: https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/part-I/chapter-119
• Illinois Eavesdropping Act, 720 ILCS 5/14-1 et seq.: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs.asp
• Illinois Code of Civil Procedure, 735 ILCS 5/2-801 and 5/2-806

Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal or tax advice. The author is a legal content researcher, not a practicing attorney. Deadlines, amounts and court dates can change, so confirm everything on the official settlement website or with the settlement administrator.

By Israr Ahmad, Founder and Legal Content Researcher, AllAboutLawyer.com