What happened?
Forbes Media settled a class action claiming that trackers on Forbes websites collected visitors' IP addresses and other identifiers and passed them to third parties without consent. California residents who visited Forbes sites between December 20, 2023 and June 11, 2026 can claim a pro rata share of a $10,000,000 fund. Forbes denies any wrongdoing.
The lawsuit says trackers on Forbes websites collected visitors' IP addresses and other unique identifiers without asking, then shared that data with outside companies that use it to target ads. It argues this broke the California Invasion of Privacy Act and California's Unfair Competition Law. Forbes denies it did anything wrong, and the court has not decided who is right.
You are covered if you are a California resident who visited a website owned or controlled by Forbes between December 20, 2023 and June 11, 2026, and trackers on the site shared your IP address or unique identifiers with third parties. Forbes, its affiliates and their staff are left out.
Forbes agreed to pay $10,000,000 into a fund. After administration costs, court-approved lawyers' fees and costs (the class lawyers may ask for up to 25%, or $2,500,000) and awards for the two people who brought the case, what is left is shared pro rata among everyone with a valid, on-time claim. No per-person amount has been announced because it depends on how many valid claims come in. The notice does not ask for receipts or other documents.
Submit the Proof of Claim on the settlement website by November 9, 2026, or mail a paper form postmarked by that date to Berman, et al. v. Forbes Media LLC, c/o Kroll Settlement Administration LLC, P.O. Box 225391, New York, NY 10150-5391. The court's order says some class members can file online while others are directed to download and mail a paper form. The deadline to opt out or object was September 24, 2026 and has passed. The final approval hearing is December 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific. Payments come only after the court approves the settlement and any appeals are resolved.
How much is Forbes paying and what can I get?
A pro rata share of the $10,000,000 fund after administration costs, court-approved attorneys' fees and costs, and awards to the two class representatives. No per-person amount has been announced. The final payment depends on how many valid claims are filed.
The total settlement fund is $10,000,000. The final amount per person depends on how many valid claims are filed.
Am I eligible to file a claim?
California residents who visited a website owned or controlled by Forbes between December 20, 2023 and June 11, 2026, and whose IP address or unique identifiers were shared with third parties through trackers on those sites.
Key facts
Last reviewed Oct 18, 2026. Every detail on this page is checked against official settlement administrator and court sources before publication. Where those sources disagree with information shown elsewhere, the official settlement notice controls.
Owed is an independent service and is not a law firm, a court, a government agency, or the settlement administrator. Whether you qualify, and any amount or date shown, is decided by the settlement administrator and the court, not by Owed. Payment figures are estimates and can change without notice.
You can also file directly with the settlement administrator at no cost. Owed members get the official claim form, deadline reminders and claim tracking in one place.
This page is a plain-language summary, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Forbes and related names are trademarks of their respective owners; Owed uses them only to identify the settlement described on this page and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Forbes, the court, or the settlement administrator.
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Last updated · verified against the official settlement notice