Patreon, a subscription-based platform allowing content creators to earn money from their fanbase, is in the spotlight as it settles a $7.25 million class action lawsuit. The case, Stark et al. v. Patreon, Inc., alleges that Patreon disclosed user identities and video-viewing preferences to Facebook without explicit consent. This purported action is seen as an infringement of the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), which was enacted to protect users' privacy. The lawsuit impacts Patreon users who also have Facebook accounts, and who accessed videos on Patreon.com between April 1, 2016 and September 23, 2024. This lawsuit follows other high-profile class action suits based on similar grounds. Buzzfeed recently agreed to a $9 million settlement over allegations that it shared personally identifiable information without user consent, in violation of the VPPA. Similarly, sports news platform, Bleacher Report, settled a $4.8 million lawsuit over the same issues. The Philadelphia Inquirer also settled a $1.125 million lawsuit for sharing subscribers' viewing information with Facebook without proper consent. These cases underscore the importance of digital privacy and the need for platforms to obtain explicit consent before sharing user information. Eligible class members in the Patreon lawsuit could potentially receive between $35 and $175 each, although the actual amount may vary depending on the number of valid claims made. To file a claim, users must submit a claim form on the official settlement website by January 15, 2025. Proof of membership, through a link to a Facebook profile page and potentially a unique ID or PIN, may be required. These lawsuits serve as a wake-up call to digital platforms and highlight the growing importance of online privacy and the implications of violating such regulations.