A major data privacy class action involving Thomson Reuters’ CLEAR platform has sparked widespread attention in 2025. With a $27.5 million settlement fund on the line, California residents are being compensated for the unauthorized collection and distribution of their personal data. If you lived in California between December 3, 2016, and October 31, 2024, and filed a claim on time, you may already be eligible for a payout—potentially well above the expected $19–$48 range.
Let’s break down what the lawsuit was about, who’s eligible, and how much people are really receiving from this class action.
What Is the Thomson Reuters CLEAR Case All About?
Thomson Reuters, a trusted name in journalism and legal research, also operates CLEAR—a powerful data aggregation tool often used by government agencies, private investigators, and corporations. However, a class action lawsuit alleged that CLEAR collected and sold personal data of millions of Californians without consent.
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This included sensitive information such as names, addresses, legal records, and possibly even photos, all compiled into detailed profiles. The company was accused of violating California’s robust privacy laws by failing to notify or obtain consent from individuals whose data was being sold.
To resolve the matter, Thomson Reuters agreed to a $27.5 million settlement and committed to enhanced transparency, stricter data usage policies, and opt-out tools for California residents.
Who Was Eligible to Receive a Payment?
Eligibility for the settlement was remarkably broad:
- You needed to be 18 years or older at any time from December 3, 2016, to October 31, 2024.
- You must have lived in California for any portion of that time period.
- You did not need to be aware of CLEAR or know your data was being collected.
Even if you’ve since moved out of California, your past residency still made you eligible. The key criteria was simply being a California resident (even briefly) during the eligibility period.
How Much Money Are People Getting?
Originally, claimants were told they’d receive between $19 and $48. However, due to a very low claim rate (less than 1% of eligible residents filed), the actual payouts have skyrocketed. Some recipients have reported receiving as much as $156.09.
| Settlement Fund | $27.5 million |
|---|---|
| Estimated Payout (Initial) | $19–$48 |
| Final Payout (Actual) | ~$156 per person |
| Eligibility Period | Dec. 3, 2016 – Oct. 31, 2024 |
| Claim Deadline | December 27, 2024 (closed) |
All approved claims are being processed and paid via check, ACH, Venmo, or PayPal, depending on the selected method.
Timeline of Events
- Class period: Dec 3, 2016 – Oct 31, 2024
- Deadline to file a claim: December 27, 2024
- Final approval hearing: February 13, 2025
- Payments issued: Beginning April 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What if I didn’t use CLEAR?
No problem. This lawsuit was about unauthorized data collection, so you didn’t need to interact with CLEAR at all.
Q: I moved out of California years ago. Can I still get paid?
Yes. Past residency during the class period is enough.
Q: Why did some people get more than $48?
Because fewer people filed than expected, the pool of money was split among fewer claimants—leading to much higher individual payouts.
Q: Can I still file a claim?
Unfortunately, the deadline passed on December 27, 2024. If you didn’t file by then, you are no longer eligible.
Why This Settlement Matters
This case is a striking reminder of the power and value of personal data. In an era where information is bought and sold behind the scenes, this lawsuit brought accountability and change. Thanks to the legal action, Thomson Reuters has implemented changes to make their data practices more transparent and respectful of individuals’ privacy rights.
Most importantly, it shows that everyday people can take a stand—even without knowing they were part of a problem in the first place. If you filed a claim, your money should be arriving soon. If you missed this one, it’s worth paying attention to future privacy cases—you could be entitled to more compensation than you think.
