DirecTV, CenturyLink Settle Billing Privacy Class Action Lawsuit

Consumers have obtained a settlement in a class action lawsuit alleging DirecTV and CenturyLink made their bills available to the public.

The DirecTV, CenturyLink billing privacy class action lawsuit alleged that the telecom companies failed to properly protect the sensitive personal information on customer billing statements.

In fact, according to the DirecTV, CenturyLink class action, a quick Google search revealed the name, addresses, and phone numbers of customers based on their online bills.

DirecTV fought the class action lawsuit, arguing the claims should have first gone to arbitration.

The plaintiff contended that the arbitration clauses contained in his contracts with the company were unfair.

Under the terms of the DirecTV, CenturyLink class action settlement, approximately 1,000 DirecTV customers whose bills were allegedly posted online between March 5, 2017 and May 18, 2017 will receive approximately $700 each.

“The parties engaged in an exchange of substantive information relating to Jantos’ and the settlement class’ claims,” noted the motion for preliminary approval of the DirecTV billing privacy class action lawsuit.

“And the record developed through the investigation and discovery process allowed the parties to realistically estimate class damages and assess the risks of further litigation.”

Though the number of Class Members may only reach into the thousands, the plaintiff’s attorneys are set to receive $150,000 in fees.

The plaintiff will receive $10,000 under the terms of the class action settlement.

“It was only after the parties thoroughly investigated and evaluated the strengths and weakness of the case, and attended mediation, that the settlement was completed,” stated the motion for preliminary approval of the CenturyLink, DirecTV class action settlement.

The plaintiff in the DirecTV class action lawsuit alleged that he became aware that his personal information was publicly available through a simple Google search of his billing statement.

He claimed that this information was available to others without the use of a password or other security feature that would limit access.

The DirecTV billing privacy class action lawsuit alleged that the telecom companies had violated the federal Communications Act by causing customer’s online billing statements to become publicly available.

The federal Communications Act, according to the class action lawsuit, requires companies to prevent the unauthorized access of consumer’s personal information.

Further, according to the CenturyLink, DirecTV class action lawsuit, making customer billing statements publicly available was a widespread practice among the telecom companies, including DirecTV, CenturyLink, and Qwest.

The DirecTV, CenturyLink class action lawsuit sought damages at the rate of $100 for each day each customer’s billing statement was publicly available or $1,000.

Top Class Actions will post updates to this class action settlement as they become available. For the latest updates, keep checking TopClassActions.com or sign up for our free newsletter. You can also receive notifications when this article is updated by using your free Top Class Actions account and clicking the “Follow Article” button at the top of the post.

The plaintiffs and Class Members are represented by Richard E. Spoonemore and Chris R. Youtz of Sirianni Youtz Spoonemore Hamburger, and Michael D. Myers of Myers & Co. PLLC.

The CenturyLink, DirecTV Billing Privacy Class Action Lawsuit is Jantos v. DirecTV, et al., Case No. 2:18-cv-00413-TSZ, in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.

UPDATE: On June 14, 2019, the CenturyLink, DirecTV billing privacy class action settlement received final approval. Let us know on our Top Class Actions Facebook page when you get a check in the mail!