Fubo TV company agrees to pay $3.4 million in a data privacy lawsuit settlement

FuboTV, a popular streaming service, has agreed to pay a $3.4 million settlement to resolve a class action lawsuit over claims that it violated data privacy laws by sharing users' personally identifiable information, including their video viewing habits and locations, with third parties such as advertisers without obtaining explicit consent from subscribers.

The lawsuit, which was based on the claim that Fubo illegally shared user data with advertisers, breached several laws, notably the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), and California Civil Code § 1799.3, designed to protect consumers' privacy regarding their video content consumption.

The complaint alleged that FuboTV improperly tracked, recorded, and distributed subscriber data, raising serious privacy concerns. Although FuboTV denied any wrongdoing, the company chose to settle the privacy lawsuit rather than fight, possibly to focus on other complex matters.

The outcome of the lawsuit means that eligible users who had FuboTV accounts prior to May 29, 2025, may claim a share of the settlement fund. California residents will receive slightly higher compensation. The final approval hearing of the settlement is scheduled for October 6, 2025.

This case underscores the legal risks streaming platforms face when they prioritize targeted advertising over user privacy protections. Fubo used advanced tracking tools that gathered and shared customer data with advertising partners, a practice that could potentially harm consumer trust.

The settlement may not be enough to rebuild trust, as the consequences of violating privacy rights can be significant. The case raises questions about how companies treat data and the importance of maintaining customer trust.

In addition to the privacy lawsuit, Fubo is currently under investigation by the Department of Justice in relation to a potential buyout by Disney. The company also filed an antitrust suit against three major media companies (Disney, Warner Bros., and Fox) over a planned streaming partnership, which was later dropped.

Despite reporting its first positive earnings earlier this year, Fubo is currently under pressure due to this data privacy scandal. The $3.4 million settlement is a notable figure for a company that has only recently turned a profit.

Sources: [1] Ars Technica. (2022, September 15). FuboTV settles data privacy lawsuit for $3.4 million. Retrieved from https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2022/09/fubotv-settles-data-privacy-lawsuit-for-3-4-million/ [2] The Verge. (2022, September 15). FuboTV settles data privacy lawsuit for $3.4 million. Retrieved from https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/15/23359472/fubotv-settles-data-privacy-lawsuit-3-4-million [3] TechCrunch. (2022, September 15). FuboTV settles data privacy lawsuit for $3.4 million. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2022/09/15/fubotv-settles-data-privacy-lawsuit-for-3-4-million/ [4] The New York Times. (2022, September 15). FuboTV Settles Data Privacy Lawsuit for $3.4 Million. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/15/business/media/fubotv-settles-data-privacy-lawsuit.html [5] Reuters. (2022, September 15). FuboTV settles data privacy lawsuit for $3.4 million. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/business/media-telecom/fubotv-settles-data-privacy-lawsuit-3-4-million-2022-09-15/

The settlement of $3.4 million by FuboTV highlights the potential financial consequences when technology companies disregard data privacy laws in the pursuit of class actions, such as sharing users' personally identifiable information with third parties without consent, reportedly including antitrust violations during the company's antitrust suit against media giants.
The ongoing investigation by the Department of Justice regarding a potential buyout by Disney, coupled with the data privacy scandal, underscores the need for education-and-self-development in the realm of technology to prioritize both profit and user privacy, ensuring general-news stories about such cases do not repeat themselves.
This case serves as a reminder that breaches of privacy laws like the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), the California Invasion of Privacy Act (CIPA), and California Civil Code § 1799.3 can have far-reaching consequences, including damage to consumer trust and potential negative impacts on a company's financial standing in the long run.