Anime fans may want to reconsider how comfortable they are with their streaming habits being tracked. Crunchyroll, the popular anime streaming platform, is facing a new class-action lawsuit alleging the company secretly collected and shared user viewing data with a third-party marketing firm. The suit, filed in California on March 5th, claims Crunchyroll violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by transmitting information about what shows and episodes subscribers were watching.
The core of the complaint centers around the use of a software development kit (SDK) provided by Braze, a marketing company. According to the lawsuit, Crunchyroll integrated this SDK into its mobile application, allowing it to transmit data including device identifiers, email addresses, and crucially, details about the anime content consumed by each user. This isn’t the first time Crunchyroll’s data practices have come under scrutiny, raising questions about the platform’s commitment to user privacy.
The lawsuit alleges that this data collection began as early as 2022. The plaintiffs argue that sharing this information allows Braze – and potentially its clients – to build detailed profiles of Crunchyroll subscribers, identifying their specific viewing preferences. This level of granularity, particularly given the diverse and sometimes mature content available on Crunchyroll, is a key concern for those worried about their privacy.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Crunchyroll previously settled a similar lawsuit in 2023, agreeing to a $16 million settlement over allegations of sharing user data with social media companies and search engines. That settlement resulted in payouts of approximately $30 to affected users, a sum many considered inadequate given the scope of the privacy breach. As reported by Atomix, the current legal team is now seeking to certify a class action, allowing a broader group of affected users to join the claim and seek compensation.
What Does the Law Say?
The lawsuit hinges on the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), a federal law enacted in 1988. Originally designed to prevent video rental stores from disclosing customers’ rental histories, the VPPA has been increasingly applied to online streaming services. The law prohibits the disclosure of personally identifiable information in connection with video viewing habits. Crunchyroll’s alleged transmission of viewing data to Braze is claimed to be a direct violation of this act.
Crunchyroll’s Response
As of March 8, 2026, Crunchyroll has not publicly commented on the latest lawsuit. The company’s legal team is reportedly remaining silent while the case moves toward potential class-action status. This silence is fueling speculation about the strength of the plaintiffs’ case and the potential financial implications for the streaming platform.
What’s Next for Crunchyroll Users?
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for Crunchyroll subscribers and the broader streaming industry. If the case is successful, affected users could be entitled to financial compensation. More broadly, it could force Crunchyroll and other streaming services to re-evaluate their data collection and sharing practices. The case is likely to draw increased scrutiny to the often-opaque ways streaming platforms monetize user data.
For now, users concerned about their privacy may want to review Crunchyroll’s privacy policy and consider whether the potential risks outweigh the benefits of using the service. The legal process will unfold over the coming months, and it remains to be seen whether Crunchyroll will face another substantial payout or whether it can successfully defend its data practices.
Share your thoughts in the comments below. Are you concerned about your data privacy on streaming services?
