Pokemon Go players receive money and coins after settling class-action lawsuit

Pokemon Go players have recently discovered a surprising windfall in their accounts – an unexpected influx of PokeCoins. Players took to Reddit to share their experiences, with one player noting a significant jump in their coin balance, from 4,000 to 27,000 coins. Concerned about potential fraud, the player reached out to Niantic support, only to learn that the extra coins were a result of a settlement from a class-action lawsuit.

The settlement stemmed from a lawsuit filed by law firm Milberg, Coleman, Bryson, Phillips, and Grossman on behalf of a group of Pokemon Go players. The lawsuit alleged that Niantic had utilized certain Facebook-provided technology within the game without proper user consent. While Niantic denied any wrongdoing, the settlement required the company to compensate affected players. Interestingly, some players who had previously opted into the settlement received a cash payout, while others, who had not selected a settlement type during the arbitration process, received PokeCoins as compensation.

The original class action claim asserted that Niantic had been using the Meta Pixel to track user activities and share them with third parties, including Meta, without user consent, potentially violating the Video Privacy Protection Act. This incident sheds light on Niantic’s data collection practices, with previous investigations revealing the company’s extensive data collection activities, even when players were not actively engaging with the game.

This recent settlement is just one of several legal battles Niantic has faced in relation to Pokemon Go. From lawsuits involving trespassing incidents to botched festivals and addiction claims, the company has encountered various legal challenges. The distribution of unexpected PokeCoins to players serves as a reminder of the ongoing legal scrutiny faced by companies in the gaming industry.

Ultimately, the influx of PokeCoins in players’ accounts serves as a tangible outcome of a legal dispute that highlights the complexities of data privacy and user consent in the digital age. As players continue to enjoy the virtual world of Pokemon Go, they are now also benefiting from a legal victory that underscores the importance of transparent and ethical practices within the gaming industry.