About The BYUtv Video Privacy Settlement
Brigham Young University Broadcasting has agreed to pay $1,250,000 to settle allegations that the company violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA).
The lawsuit accused BYU Broadcasting of sharing subscriber viewing data with Meta (formerly Facebook) without obtaining proper consent from users.
Plaintiffs say that tracking tech monitored what videos BYUtv users watched and transmitted that information directly to Facebook, an act that allegedly violated federal privacy laws designed to protect consumers' video viewing history.
Who Qualifies for the BYUtv Privacy Settlement?
BYUtv users may qualify for this digital privacy settlement if they meet these specific criteria:
- Lived in the United States during the class period.
- Maintained an active Facebook account between November 12, 2022, and May 9, 2025.
- Created a registered account with BYUtv (not just casual browsing).
- Viewed one or more videos on byutv.org while logged into your account.
The settlement administrator already has records of most eligible class members, and eligible users don't need to provide proof that they watched specific videos.
Excluded Parties
The following individuals typically cannot participate in this streaming platform privacy settlement:
- Current or former BYU employees and their immediate family members.
- Anyone who previously filed VPPA claims against BYUtv through different attorneys.
- Individuals who formally opt out of the settlement before October 14, 2025.
- Legal representatives and heirs of excluded parties.
What BYU Broadcasting Allegedly Did Wrong
The class action lawsuit argues that BYU Broadcasting committed several privacy violations.
Tracking and capturing personal information
The VPPA lawsuit claims BYUtv installed Meta Pixel tracking code across its video content pages. Plaintiffs say this technology operated like a digital spy, recording what every video user watches and sending that information to Facebook's servers.
The pixel tech purportedly captured personally identifiable information, including unique Facebook IDs linked to the specific video materials and accessed BTUtv services.
Non-consensual data sharing
The lawsuit also argued that BYUtv shared captured data with Meta, and BYU Broadcasting never asked subscribers for permission to disclose video viewing history. The non-consensual sharing is claimed to potentially revealed sensitive information about users' interests, beliefs, and personal preferences based on their viewing choices.
More About the Video Privacy Protection Act
Congress enacted the VPPA in 1988 to protect consumers from videotape service providers who shared viewing records with third parties.
Today, the VPPA applies to modern streaming platforms like it did to traditional video stores. Under this federal law, companies can face up to $2,500 in statutory damages per violation.
The act generally defines "personally identifiable information" as any data identifying a person who requests or obtains specific video content.
Modern court opinions have also increasingly recognized that embedding tracking pixels on video websites can violate the VPPA when those pixels share viewing data without user consent.
Settlement Fund Distribution Details
The parties in this VPPA class action lawsuit have agreed to distribute the $1,250,000 settlement amount as follows:
- Attorney fees: Up to $516,165 (approximately 41% of the gross settlement fund).
- Class plaintiff service award: Up to $5,000 for Benjamin Garcia.
- Settlement administration costs: Estimated at $50,000-$75,000.
- Net settlement fund for eligible class members: Approximately $658,835.
Based on estimated participation rates, settlement attorneys project payments of approximately $6.31 per eligible person.
However, this amount could increase if fewer people file claims or decrease if participation exceeds expectations.
Payment Methods Available
Eligible members can choose how to receive their settlement payment:
- Venmo - Direct deposit to Venmo account.
- PayPal - Electronic transfer to PayPal address..
- Zelle - Quick payment through participating banks
- Paper check - Mailed to the address on file.
The settlement administrator may distribute payments approximately 45 days after the court grants final approval and resolves any appeals.
How to File Your BYUtv Settlement Claim
Online Claim Process
Filing an online claim takes just a few minutes:
- Visit www.garciavideoprivacyclassaction.com
- Click the "File a Claim" button.
- Enter your unique ID and PIN from the settlement notice you received.
- Verify your Facebook account ownership by checking the appropriate box.
- Select your preferred payment method.
- Review and submit your claim form.
The online system saves your progress automatically. Members who cannot locate their settlement IDs may contact the settlement administrator at [email protected] with their full name and email address..
Mail-In Option
Eligible class members may also submit paper claims:
- Download the PDF claim form from the settlement website.
- Print and complete all required sections.
- Sign the attestation under penalty of perjury.
- Mail your completed form to: BYUtv VPPA Settlement, P.O. Box 25226, Santa Ana, CA, 92799.
All eligible claims must be postmarked by October 14, 2025. The settlement administrator also recommends using certified mail to confirm delivery.
Important Settlement Dates
- Claims Deadline: October 14, 2025
- Objection/Exclusion Deadline: October 14, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: November 20, 2025
- Estimated Payment Date: January 2026 (approximately 45 days after final approval)
Missing the claims deadline may mean forfeiting claim rights to possible compensation. The court will also not accept late claims unless extraordinary circumstances prevented timely filing.
What BYUtv Agrees to Change
BYU Broadcasting promises to make significant changes when handling subscriber privacy as part of the settlement agreement.
Meta pixel suspension
The company will remove Meta Pixel tracking from all pages containing video content. This suspension remains in effect until BYUtv implements VPPA-compliant consent mechanisms. The new system will clearly explain what data gets shared with third parties and obtain explicit user permission before any disclosure occurs.
Data sharing reprieve
BYUtv also agreed to suspend all data sharing with Meta until updated privacy controls meet federal requirements. This reprieve includes halting the transmission of video viewing history, user identifiers, and any information that substantially identifies the video content users access.
Future privacy protections
Beyond removing the Meta Pixel, BYU Broadcasting will implement comprehensive privacy reforms including:
- Enhanced disclosure requirements on all pages collecting user data.
- Opt-in consent systems for any third-party data sharing.
- Regular privacy compliance audits by independent reviewers.
- Clear privacy policies explaining data collection and sharing practices.
- User controls that allow subscribers to manage their privacy preferences.
According to the defendant, these changes seek to prevent future VPPA violations while giving users greater control over their personal information.
Video Privacy Rights Matter
The VPPA exists to protect consumer viewing choices from unauthorized disclosure. When companies like BYU Broadcasting allegedly share video viewing history without user permission, they can violate fundamental privacy rights that Congress established decades ago.
Thousands of BTUtv users can stand up for their digital privacy rights in an era of increasing surveillance and data collection. However, they must take action before the October 14, 2025 deadline to participate in this class action settlement.
File a claim or check out the lawsuit for more details at https://www.garciavideoprivacyclassaction.com/
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