Sony Cyberattack Class Action Settlement

Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. has agreed to settle a class action lawsuit stemming from a 2014 cyberattack that compromised the personal identifiable information of its employees. If you were a current or former corporate or production employee of Sony Pictures Entertainment or one of its subsidiaries as of Nov. 24, 2014, you may be entitled to benefits from this class action settlement.

In the fall of 2014, Sony Pictures Entertainment was affected by a cyberattack. The perpetrators of the cyberattack released private data from Sony on the Internet, including personally identifiable information about current and former employees and other individuals.

Ten Sony employees filed a class action lawsuit against the company, accusing it of failing to adequately safeguard their personal information. Further, the plaintiffs alleged Sony didn’t notify employees immediately about the data breach despite the risk of identity theft they faced as a result. The plaintiffs claimed the company was more concerned about damage control related to embarrassing emails that were leaked to the press.

Sony denies any wrongdoing but has agreed to settle the cyberattack class action lawsuit to avoid the expense and uncertainty of ongoing litigation.

The Sony cyberattack settlement was preliminarily approved on Nov. 24, 2015.

If you wish to exclude yourself from or object to the Sony cyberattack class action settlement, you must do so no later than March 9, 2016.

UPDATE: The Sony cyberattack class action settlement was granted final approval on Apr. 6, 2016.

UPDATE 2: On Aug. 22, 2016, Top Class Actions readers who submitted “preventive measure” claims in the Sony data breach class action settlement started receiving checks worth as much as $475.17! 

Who’s Eligible

You are a Class Member of the Sony cyberattack settlement if:

• You were a current or former corporate or production employee of Sony Pictures Entertainment or one of its subsidiaries as of Nov. 24, 2014; or
• You were not a current or former corporate or production employee of Sony Pictures Entertainment or one of its subsidiaries as of Nov. 24, 2014, but you received direct notice about this class action settlement by mail because you were identified by Sony as someone whose personally identifiable information was disclosed on the Internet due to the cyberattack.

Potential Award

Up to $10,000.

Under the terms of the cyberattack class action settlement, Sony has agreed to provide Class Members with certain identity protection services. In addition, Sony will provide cash benefits to Class Members who have suffered losses due to the cyberattack.

Cash Payments for Valid Claims

• Preventive Measures Claim: If you incurred actual costs or spent time between Nov. 24, 2014 and Oct. 19, 2015 taking measures to avoid identity theft or other misuse of your personal information following the cyberattack and you have not already been reimbursed, you can file a Preventive Measures Claim. You must submit valid documentation to be eligible for payment, which is capped at $1,000 per claimant. The amount you will be eligible to receive depends on the expenses for which you submit valid documentation, though the total payment you receive may be reduced depending on how many valid claims are submitted by Class Members.
• Identity Theft/Misuse Claim: If you have suffered actual, unreimbursed losses from identity theft or misuse of your personal information as a direct result of the Sony cyberattack, you can file an Identity Theft/Misuse Claim. Class Members may be eligible for reimbursement of actual losses up to $10,000 per claimant. NOTE: Your eligibility may be affected if you fail to enroll in AllClear PRO or IDT911.

Free Identity Protection Services

Sony will provide Class Members with identity protection services, free of charge:

• AllClear Secure: Class Members will be provided coverage under AllClear Secure through Dec. 31, 2017.
• AllClear PRO: Class Members may enroll in AllClear PRO, which provides additional benefits and services. Class Members who are U.S. residents or who have a U.S. Social Security number can enroll in AllClear PRO, free of charge, for coverage through Dec. 31, 2017. NOTE: If you fail to enroll in AllClear PRO, your eligibility to make an Identity Theft/Misuse Claim may be affected.
• IDT911 (non-U.S. residents): Class Members who reside outside the United States can enroll in IDT911, free of charge, for coverage through Dec. 31, 2017.

Proof of Purchase

N/A

Claim Form

CLICK HERE TO FILE A CLAIM »

Claim Form Deadline

The deadline to file a Preventive Measures Claim is April 23, 2016.

The deadline to file an Identity Theft/Misuse Claim is Dec. 31, 2017.

Case Name

Michael Corona, et al. v. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc., Case No. 2:14-cv-09600-RGK-E, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

Final Hearing

04/06/2016

Settlement Website

www.CyberattackSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Corona v. Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.
c/o GCG
P.O. Box 10246
Dublin, OH 43017-5746
USA

1 (855) 907-3142 (U.S. and Canada callers)

0 8000966478 (UK callers)

Class Counsel

KELLER ROHRBACK LLP

GIRARD GIBBS LLP

LIEFF CABRASER HEIMANN & BERNSTEIN LLP

Defense Counsel

WILMERHALE LLP