Crunchyroll Faces New Lawsuit Over Alleged Data Sharing Practices
Anime fans may want to reconsider how much they trust the privacy of their viewing habits. Crunchyroll, the popular streaming service specializing in anime, is facing a new class-action lawsuit alleging the company secretly collected and shared user data with third-party marketing firms. The lawsuit, filed on March 5, 2026, claims Crunchyroll violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by tracking what shows and episodes subscribers watched and then selling that information without their consent. This isn’t the first time Crunchyroll has faced scrutiny over its data practices, raising questions about the company’s commitment to user privacy.
The core of the complaint centers around the use of a software tool from Braze, a marketing company, embedded within the Crunchyroll mobile application. According to the lawsuit, this tool has been quietly gathering data since at least 2022, including device identifiers, email addresses, and, crucially, specific details about the anime content users consume. This level of granular data collection raises significant privacy concerns, particularly given the often-personal nature of the content people choose to watch.
The Video Privacy Protection Act and User Data
The lawsuit alleges a direct violation of the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA), a U.S. Federal law enacted in 1988. The VPPA was originally designed to protect consumers’ video rental records from being disclosed without their consent. In the digital age, courts have increasingly interpreted the VPPA to apply to streaming services as well, recognizing that viewing history constitutes personal information deserving of protection. The core principle is preventing companies from revealing what content individuals consume. This represents particularly sensitive for platforms like Crunchyroll, which host a significant amount of content with mature themes.
A History of Data Concerns at Crunchyroll
This isn’t the first time Crunchyroll has found itself in hot water over data privacy. In 2023, the company settled a previous class-action lawsuit for $16 million after being accused of sharing user data with social media platforms and search engines. As part of that settlement, affected users received approximately $30 in compensation. The fact that Crunchyroll is now facing similar allegations so soon after the previous settlement raises serious questions about its data handling practices and its commitment to respecting user privacy. The previous lawsuit, as reported by cristvof on Facebook, centered on the unauthorized sharing of data with third parties for advertising purposes.
Crunchyroll has not yet publicly commented on the latest lawsuit. The legal team representing the plaintiffs is currently seeking to certify the case as a class action, which would allow any affected Crunchyroll subscriber to join the lawsuit and potentially receive compensation. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the streaming industry, potentially forcing companies to be more transparent about their data collection practices and obtain explicit consent from users before sharing their viewing history.
As the legal proceedings unfold, anime fans are left to wonder about the security of their personal data and whether their viewing habits are truly private. The case highlights the growing tension between the desire for personalized streaming experiences and the need to protect user privacy in the digital age. The next step in the legal process is a hearing to determine whether the case can proceed as a class action, scheduled for late March 2026. We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they become available.
What are your thoughts on this issue? Do you suppose streaming services should be more transparent about their data collection practices? Share your opinions in the comments below.
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