GameStop will pay millions to customers whose private information was secretly shared with Facebook, exposing a disturbing privacy violation by the video game retail giant.
Key Takeaways
- GameStop settled a class-action lawsuit for $4.5 million over allegations they illegally shared customer data with Facebook through tracking pixels
- Affected customers who purchased games online between August 2020 and April 2025 could receive up to $5 cash or a $10 voucher
- The lawsuit claims GameStop violated the Video Privacy Protection Act by sharing personal information without proper consent
- To qualify, customers must have a public Facebook account matching the name used for GameStop purchases and file a claim by August 15
Privacy Violations Exposed in Multi-Million Dollar Settlement
GameStop has agreed to pay $4.5 million to settle a class-action lawsuit alleging the company violated customer privacy by sharing personal information with Facebook without proper consent. The lawsuit, filed by Alejandro Aldana and Scott Gallie, claims GameStop violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by using Facebook tracking pixels on their website to share customer data, including video game purchase information. While GameStop denies any wrongdoing, they’ve chosen to settle rather than face prolonged litigation and the uncertainty of a trial.
GameStop faces a $4.5 million settlement after being accused of sharing personal information without consent. https://t.co/ALmo9ZqnWg
— FOX 2 Detroit (@FOX2News) July 2, 2025
The plaintiffs alleged that GameStop disclosed its online video game customers’ personally identifiable information to Facebook via the Facebook Tracking Pixel without consent, in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA). This represents yet another example of corporate overreach and disregard for consumer privacy rights, as companies increasingly collect and share personal data without transparent disclosure to their customers.
How Affected Customers Can Claim Compensation
If you purchased video games from GameStop’s website between August 18, 2020, and April 17, 2025, you may be eligible for compensation. Qualifying customers must have a public Facebook account under the same name used when purchasing from GameStop during the specified period. The settlement offers affected customers a choice between receiving $5 in cash or a voucher worth up to $10 for use on GameStop’s website, although actual payout amounts may vary depending on the number of valid claims submitted.
“Gamestop disclosed its online video game customers’ personally identifiable information to Facebook via the Facebook Tracking Pixel without consent, in violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA),” according to Alejandro Aldana and Scott Gallie, Plaintiffs.
Customers seeking compensation must submit a claim through the official settlement website by August 15. The claim requires personal information and proof of Facebook account ownership during the relevant period. This settlement process puts the burden on consumers to take action, which is unfortunately common in such privacy breach cases. While the compensation may seem modest compared to the violation, the settlement does establish an important precedent for corporate accountability in data privacy matters.
Corporate Silence and Broader Privacy Concerns
FOX Business reported attempts to contact GameStop for comments regarding the settlement, but the company did not respond by publication time. This silence reflects a troubling pattern we’ve seen with many corporations caught mishandling customer data – a reluctance to publicly address privacy concerns. The case highlights the growing tension between corporate data collection practices and consumer privacy rights, particularly as tracking technologies become more sophisticated and ubiquitous across online retail platforms.
This settlement serves as a reminder that privacy laws like the VPPA, originally enacted in 1988, remain relevant in today’s digital landscape. The law specifically prohibits video service providers from disclosing personally identifiable information without explicit consent. As consumers, we must remain vigilant about how our data is being collected and shared, particularly as companies increasingly prioritize data harvesting for marketing purposes over customer privacy protections.
