Understanding the $17.2 Million Naviance Settlement: Your Guide to Filing a Claim
Remember that college planning tool your school used, Naviance? It was supposed to help students chart their academic futures. But behind the scenes, a significant privacy concern emerged, leading to a major legal settlement. If you or your child used Naviance during specific years, you might be eligible for a piece of a $17.2 million settlement. Here’s what happened and how you can potentially claim compensation.
What Sparked the Lawsuit?
Naviance, owned by PowerSchool (formerly part of Hobsons), is widely used by high schools to help students with college searches, applications, career planning, and transcript services. The core allegation in the class-action lawsuit was that Naviance collected, stored, and disclosed students’ personally identifiable information (PII) – including names, email addresses, GPAs, test scores, birthdates, and more – without obtaining proper consent, particularly from students under 13, and without making required disclosures about how this data was used.
Essentially, the lawsuit argued that Naviance violated federal and state privacy laws designed to protect children’s data online, including the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). The claim centered on the idea that this data collection and sharing happened without the knowledge or appropriate consent of students and their parents or guardians.
The Settlement Explained
PowerSchool (and Hobsons) agreed to settle the lawsuit for $17.2 million. Crucially, they deny any wrongdoing or liability. Settlements like this are a way to resolve complex legal disputes without a lengthy trial, providing compensation to affected individuals while avoiding the uncertainties of court.
Who Qualifies for Payment?
You might be eligible if you fall into one of these categories:
1. Student Class: Individuals in the U.S. who registered for, or whose information was maintained in, a Naviance account between September 1, 2016, and December 22, 2022.
2. Parent/Guardian Class: Parents or legal guardians of Student Class Members who were under 18 during the time their information was maintained in Naviance between September 1, 2016, and December 22, 2022.
In simple terms, if you used Naviance during high school in that timeframe, or if you are the parent of a student who did, you are likely part of this settlement.
How Much Money Could You Get?
The exact amount per person isn’t fixed yet. It depends on a few key factors:
1. Total Valid Claims: The $17.2 million pot will be divided among everyone who submits a valid claim.
2. Administrative Costs: Costs like running the settlement website, processing claims, and legal fees will be deducted first.
3. “Cy Pres” Donation: If there’s money left that can’t be distributed efficiently or if claim amounts would be very small, the court may approve donating remaining funds to nonprofit organizations focused on student privacy education. This is common in large class actions.
4. Type of Claim: All approved claimants will receive an equal share of the net settlement fund (after costs). The settlement administrator will calculate this once the claims deadline passes.
While it’s impossible to predict an exact figure right now, legal experts involved estimate payments could range from $10 to $50 or more per claimant, depending on how many people file.
How Do You File a Claim? It’s Simple.
Filing a claim is designed to be straightforward:
1. Find Your Notice: You might have received an email or postcard notice if the settlement administrators had contact information for you. Don’t worry if you didn’t get one! Not receiving notice doesn’t mean you aren’t eligible. You can still file.
2. Visit the Official Settlement Website: This is the hub for all information and the claims portal: www.NavianceSettlement.com
3. Submit a Claim Form Online: The simplest way is to fill out the online form on the settlement website. You’ll need:
Your name and current contact information.
If filing for a student, the student’s name and the high school(s) they attended during the relevant period (Sept 2016 – Dec 2022).
If filing as a parent/guardian, your child’s name and their high school(s) during that period.
You might be asked for your Naviance username or email associated with the account (if you remember it), but it’s often not strictly required.
You’ll need to choose a payment method (Prepaid Card, Venmo, PayPal, Zelle, or Check).
4. Submit a Paper Claim: You can also download a paper claim form from the website, fill it out, and mail it to the address provided. Make sure it’s postmarked by the deadline.
Critical Deadline: Mark Your Calendar!
The absolute deadline to submit your claim is July 31, 2024. Claims submitted after this date will not be accepted. Don’t miss out!
What If You Do Nothing?
If you do nothing, you give up your right to sue PowerSchool/Hobsons separately about the issues covered in this lawsuit. You also won’t receive any payment from the settlement fund. Choosing to do nothing (taking no action) is an option, but it means forfeiting potential compensation.
Avoiding Scams: Important Reminder
Be vigilant! The settlement administrators will never call you asking for sensitive personal information like your Social Security number, bank account details, or credit card numbers to process your claim. Only use the official settlement website (www.NavianceSettlement.com) and contact information listed there for questions. If someone contacts you unsolicited demanding payment or excessive personal info, it’s likely a scam.
The Bigger Picture: Privacy in EdTech
This settlement serves as a significant reminder about the importance of data privacy, especially concerning students. While tools like Naviance offer valuable services, it’s crucial that companies handling sensitive student information are transparent about their data practices and obtain the necessary consents. This outcome underscores accountability and pushes for stronger privacy safeguards within the educational technology sector. Schools and parents should continue to ask questions about how student data is collected, used, and protected by the platforms they adopt.
Take Action If You Qualify
If you or your child used Naviance during high school between 2016 and 2022, you have a right to seek compensation from this settlement. Filing a claim is relatively simple and can be done entirely online. Head to www.NavianceSettlement.com before July 31, 2024, to submit your information and secure your potential payment. It’s an opportunity to hold companies accountable for data practices and receive compensation for the alleged misuse of personal information. Don’t let the deadline pass you by!
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