MANY video game fans in America could soon cash in from a $4.5million privacy payout – but only if they hit three specific criteria.
GameStop has been accused of violating the Video Privacy Protection Act by allegedly sharing customers’ personally identifiable information with Facebook without user consent.
GameStop customers who bought games in a certain time frame could soon get a pocket share of $4.5million payout[/caption]
The lawsuit claims the video game giant allegedly shared customers’ info with Facebook[/caption]
According to the class-action lawsuit – filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings – the information was shared via Facebook Tracking Pixel.
The pixel monitors user behaviour on a website after clicking on Facebook or Instagram ads.
The pixel tracks users’ actions on your website after they click on your Instagram or Facebook advertising, giving you information about how they behave.
To get a slice of the settlement pie, claimants must have purchased a video game from GameStop’s website between August 18, 2020, and April 17, 2025.
They must have been a Facebook member at the time and used a public Facebook profile with their real name.
Those who qualify can file for either a cash payment of up to $5 or a voucher worth up to $10 for GameStop’s website.
The deadline to submit a claim is August 15, 2025.
Claims can be submitted online or by mail by clicking here.
The form must be postmarked no later than August 15, 2025.
Other class-action settlements
The GameStop case is the latest in a string of multi-million dollar class action settlements putting cash in Americans’ pockets – often with minimal proof required.
Just days ago, Netgain Technology agreed to a $1.9 million settlement over a data breach that compromised sensitive personal and health information between September and November 2020.
Affected consumers can get up to $5,000 for documented losses, or a pro rata cash payout with no proof required.
The deadline to file is September 17, 2025.
Meanwhile, a wave of high-dollar settlements is closing in fast this summer, with ten major class-action payouts totaling a whopping $170 million all hitting their deadlines in early July.
Consumers across the country are being urged to check if they qualify because once the deadlines pass, the money’s gone for good.
Among the biggest of the bunch is a $1 million settlement from The Cowboy Channel, which has agreed to pay up over claims that it shared subscriber information with third parties like Google without proper consent.
What’s a class-action settlement?
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or ‘classes,’ a way to band together in court.
These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.
When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.
These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.
Apple is shelling out $95 million over accusations that its voice assistant, Siri, was eavesdropping on private conversations and sharing the recordings with third parties.
While Apple denies any wrongdoing, eligible users can still get $20 per Siri-enabled device, and may submit claims for multiple devices. That could quickly add up for long-time Apple users.
All claim forms must be submitted here by July 2 ahead of a final approval hearing on August 1.
Another big name on the list is Funko Inc., the pop culture collectibles company behind those wildly popular vinyl figurines.
Funko has agreed to a $14.75 million settlement to resolve claims it misled investors in the lead-up to its initial public offering in 2017.
While the company denies the allegations, those who purchased Funko common stock at the time may now be eligible for compensation.
All claim forms must be submitted here by July 2 along with documents that prove ownership at the time of the IPO (initial public offering).
