BuzzFeed VPPA Class Action Settlement

[Click here](27ea/ct0_0/1/ms?sid=TV2%3AQ4Wisip4p) to view this message in a browser window. [] NOTICE OF PROPOSED CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENTCircuit Court of the 17th Judicial Circuit, in and for Broward County, FloridaPeters v. BuzzFeed, Inc., Case No. CACE-24-004380 Our records indicate you may be entitled to a payment from a class action settlement because you were a log-in account holder and/or digital newsletter subscriber to a BuzzFeed Website, such as www.buzzfeed.com, www.huffpost.com, www.tasty.com, and/or www.complex.com. Click [HERE](27ea/ct1_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AQ4Wisip4p) to File a Claim.Your Unique ID is: 34673C93CCYour PIN is: 9925 Claims must be submitted no later than November 2, 2024. A court authorized this Notice. You are not being sued. This is not a solicitation from a lawyer. A $9 million Settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against BuzzFeed, Inc. (“Defendant”). The class action lawsuit alleges BuzzFeed disclosed its subscribers’ personally identifiable information (“PII”) to Facebook, without consent of subscribers, in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (“VPPA”). BuzzFeed denies it violated any law, but has agreed to the Settlement to avoid the uncertainties and expenses associated with continuing the lawsuit. Am I a Settlement Class Member? The Defendant’s records indicate you are likely a Settlement Class Member. You are included in the Settlement Class if, during May 16, 2021, through November 10, 2023, in the United States, you (i) were a log-in account holder and/or digital newsletter subscriber to a BuzzFeed Website; and (ii) accessed a video through a BuzzFeed Website while a pixel was operational as to video. For purposes of this Settlement, a “pixel” is a type of coding for a website that works as an analytics tool to measure actions people take on a website, in this case while accessing a video through a BuzzFeed Website. BuzzFeed Websites include, but are not limited to, www.buzzfeed.com, www.huffpost.com, www.tasty.com, and www.complex.com. What Can I Get? If you are a Settlement Class Member, you can file a Claim Form to receive up to $8.00. The payment may be reduced pro rata (a legal term meaning equal share) depending on the number of valid and approved Claims filed. In addition, all Settlement Class members who submit an Approved Claim are eligible for a one-year subscription to BuzzFeed+ (valued at $35.88/year) with no subscription fee. How Do I Get a Payment? If you are a Settlement Class Member and you want to receive a payment and a one-year subscription to BuzzFeed+, you must complete and submit a Claim Form postmarked or submitted online by November 2, 2024. You can file a claim by clicking [here](27ea/ct1_1/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AQ4Wisip4p) or going to the website [www.BFVPPASettlement.com](27ea/ct2_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AQ4Wisip4p). You may also visit the website and print out and file a paper claim by mail. What Are My Other Options? You may exclude yourself from the Settlement Class by sending a letter to the Settlement Administrator postmarked by October 14, 2024. If you exclude yourself, you cannot get a settlement payment, but you will keep any rights you may have to sue the Defendant regarding the issues in the lawsuit. You may object to the proposed settlement, and you and/or your lawyer have the right to appear before the Court. Your written objection must be filed no later than October 14, 2024. Specific instructions about how to exclude yourself from or object to the Settlement are available [here](27ea/ct3_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AQ4Wisip4p)[.](27ea/ct4_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AQ4Wisip4p) If you file a claim or do nothing and the Court approves the Settlement, you will be bound by all of the Court’s orders and judgments. In addition, your claims against the Defendant relating to legal issues in this lawsuit will be released. Who Represents Me? The Court has appointed lawyers Gary M. Klinger of Milberg Coleman Bryson Phillips Grossman, PLLC, Scott Edelsberg of Edelsberg Law, P.A., and Andrew Shamis of Shamis & Gentile P.A. to represent the Settlement Class. These lawyers are called Class Counsel. You will not be charged for these lawyers. If you want to be represented by your own lawyer in this lawsuit, you may hire one at your expense. When Will the Court Consider the Proposed Settlement? The Court will hold the Final Approval Hearing at 9:30 a.m. on October 18, 2024, in Courtroom 16-150 at the Broward County Courthouse, 201 SE 6th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. The purpose of the hearing will be for the Court to determine whether to approve the Settlement as fair, reasonable, adequate, and in the best interests of the Settlement Class; to consider Class Counsel’s request for attorneys’ fees and expenses; and to consider the request for a Service Award to the Class Representative. At that hearing, the Court will be available to hear any objections and arguments concerning the fairness of the Settlement. How Do I Get More Information? For more information, including the full Notice, Claim Form, and Settlement Agreement, go [here](27ea/ct5_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AQ4Wisip4p)[,](27ea/ct6_0/1/lu?sid=TV2%3AQ4Wisip4p) contact the Settlement Administrator at 1-877-438-1665, or write to BuzzFeed VPPA Settlement, P.O. Box 2753, Portland, OR 97208-2753. PLEASE DO NOT TELEPHONE THE COURT OR THE COURT’S CLERK OFFICE REGARDING THIS NOTICE. AK230_v07 Copyright © 2024 BuzzFeed VPPA Settlement Administrator Our address is Portland, OR 97208-2753 If you do not wish to receive future email, [click here](27ea/l-00aa/zout?sid=TV2%3AQ4Wisip4p). (You can also send your request to Customer Care at the street address above.)