WASHINGTON D.C. – GameStop, the prominent video game retailer, has agreed to a $4.5 million settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging the company shared customer information with Facebook without consent, potentially violating federal privacy laws. This GameStop FB privacy class action settlement offers eligible customers the opportunity to claim a cash payment or a store voucher, with the deadline for claims set for August 15, 2025.
The lawsuit, Aldana v. GameStop, Inc., Case No. 1:22-cv-07063, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, centered on allegations that GameStop utilized a Facebook tracking pixel on its website. This pixel reportedly transmitted personally identifiable information (PII) of online video game purchasers to Facebook, including details about specific video game purchases, without obtaining explicit consent from customers. Such actions, the plaintiffs argued, constitute a violation of the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) of 1988, a law designed to protect the privacy of consumers’ video rental and purchase histories.
Eligibility and Claiming Your Share
The GameStop Facebook data privacy lawsuit settlement applies to individuals who purchased a video game from GameStop’s website between August 18, 2020, and April 17, 2025.6 To be eligible, customers must have also been Facebook members with a public Facebook profile using their actual name at the time of their purchase.
GameStop FB privacy class action settlement
| Key Fact | Detail/Statistic |
| Settlement Amount | $4.5 million |
| Eligibility Period | August 18, 2020 – April 17, 2025 |
| Claim Deadline | August 15, 2025 |
| Payout Options | Up to $5 cash or up to $10 GameStop voucher |
Eligible individuals who received an email about the settlement should have a unique ID, which is necessary for filing a claim online. The email notice is typically titled “Aldana v. GameStop – Notice of Proposed Class Action Settlement.” For those who believe they are eligible but did not receive an email, a paper claim form can be completed and mailed to the settlement administrator.
The potential individual payout from the GameStop class action settlement is either a cash payment of up to $5 or a GameStop website voucher valued at up to $10. Claimants can choose only one of these options. Cash payments will be disbursed via Zelle, Venmo, or PayPal, while vouchers will be credited to the GameStop account associated with the claimant’s email address and will expire one year after issuance.
The Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA)
The federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), enacted in 1988, was primarily a response to the disclosure of Supreme Court nominee Robert Bork’s video rental history. The law prohibits “video tape service providers” from knowingly disclosing personally identifiable information concerning any consumer without their informed written consent. While originally intended for physical video rentals, courts have increasingly applied its principles to digital media and online services, including video game purchases, particularly when linked to user identities.
According to the lawsuit, GameStop’s alleged use of the Facebook tracking pixel allowed for the “surreptitious” transmission of customer PII, including specific video game purchases, to Facebook.8 This data could then be processed and integrated into Facebook’s datasets for advertising and other purposes. GameStop has denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to avoid the uncertainties and expenses associated with prolonged litigation, as stated in the settlement documentation.
Impact and Future Implications
Beyond the monetary compensation for affected consumers, the settlement also mandates prospective changes to GameStop’s data handling practices. As part of the agreement, GameStop is required to permanently suspend the operation of the Facebook tracking pixel on any pages of its website where it might capture video game purchase titles that could lead to VPPA violations.10 This requirement underscores the increasing legal scrutiny on companies regarding their data privacy practices and highlights the growing consumer awareness of digital rights.
The GameStop class action lawsuit payout date for approved claims is expected approximately 45 days after the settlement receives final approval from the court and any appeal processes are completed. The final approval hearing for the GameStop VPPA class action settlement is scheduled for September 18, 2025, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of Kings.11 At this hearing, the court will consider objections and determine the fairness of the settlement.
This case serves as a significant reminder for businesses globally to meticulously review their data sharing practices and ensure strict compliance with privacy regulations. As consumers become more cognizant of their digital footprints, companies are held to higher standards of accountability for how they manage and protect personal information. The outcome of this settlement reinforces the ongoing legal trend towards greater transparency and consent in digital data collection and usage.
FAQs
Q1: What is this settlement about?
This settlement resolves a class action lawsuit, Aldana v. GameStop, Inc., which alleged that GameStop illegally shared its online video game customers’ personally identifiable information (PII) with Facebook (now Meta Platforms, Inc.) via a tracking pixel on its website. The lawsuit claimed this action violated the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA).
Q2: Am I eligible to receive a payment from the settlement?
- You purchased a video game from the GameStop website between August 18, 2020, and April 17, 2025.
- At the time of that purchase, you were a member of Facebook and maintained a public Facebook profile using your actual name.
Q3: How much money can I get from the settlement?
- A cash payment of up to $5.
- A GameStop website voucher worth up to $10. You can only select one option. The final amount for each claimant will depend on the total number of valid claims submitted.
Q4: How do I file a claim? What is the deadline?
If you received an email notice about the settlement, it should contain a 10-character Unique ID. You can use this ID to file your claim online through the official settlement website: gamestopvppasettlement.com. If you believe you are eligible but did not receive an email with a Unique ID, you can complete and mail a paper claim form. The deadline to submit a claim (either online or postmarked for mail) is August 15, 2025.
