Lee Enterprises – Rapid City Journal: $9.5 Million Settlement Proposed for Video Privacy Violations
Lee Enterprises – Rapid City Journal: $9.5 Million Settlement Proposed for Video Privacy Violations
In a significant development for Black Hills news readers, Lee Enterprises Inc., the parent company of the Rapid City Journal, has agreed to a proposed $9.5 million settlement to resolve allegations that it violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by improperly sharing subscribers’ video-viewing information with Meta Platforms Inc. The settlement, filed in a federal court in Iowa, where Lee Enterprises is headquartered, could impact over 1.5 million current and former subscribers across its network of 85 daily newspapers, including those in the Black Hills region. This marks one of the largest settlements of its kind amid a surge of VPPA lawsuits that began in 2022, targeting companies using consumer-tracking technology on their websites.
The lawsuit claims Lee Enterprises used tracking software, specifically Meta’s tracking pixel, to share personally identifiable information about subscribers’ video consumption habits without their consent. This data was allegedly used to build detailed user profiles to enhance targeted advertising, a practice that plaintiffs argue violates federal privacy protections under the VPPA. The Rapid City Journal, a key source of local news for the Black Hills community, is among the publications implicated, as Lee Enterprises owns a dozen newspapers in South Dakota and others across 26 states. According to a recent SEC filing, as of September 29, 2024, Lee Enterprises reported 1.1 million print and digital subscribers, with 51% of its revenue derived from digital advertising in February 2025.
For Rapid City Journal subscribers, this settlement hits close to home. The Black Hills community relies on the outlet for local news, from coverage of Rapid City events to stories about the region’s vibrant culture and history. The allegations suggest that subscribers who accessed video content on the Rapid City Journal’s website may have had their viewing habits tracked and shared with Meta, potentially without their knowledge. The proposed settlement, if approved, would provide affected subscribers with an estimated payout of $3.80 per person, based on the $5.7 million allocated for approximately 1.5 million claimants after legal fees and other costs.
I personally filed a claim in this settlement and encourage other Rapid City Journal subscribers in the Black Hills to do the same. The process is straightforward, and eligible subscribers—those who had a Facebook account and accessed video content on Lee Enterprises’ websites, including the Rapid City Journal, between February 2, 2020, and May 25, 2023—can submit a claim to receive a portion of the settlement. The VPPA allows for damages of up to $2,500 per claimant, though the high number of potential claimants in this case reduces the per-person payout. The deadline to file claims is not yet specified in available reports, but subscribers should stay alert for notices via email or postcard, which will include instructions and any necessary claim identification codes.
Lee Enterprises has denied the allegations, stating in court filings that it disagrees with the plaintiffs’ conclusions but is settling to avoid prolonged litigation. The company, which also owns Montana’s Billings Gazette and Missoulian, has faced additional challenges recently, including a cybersecurity ransomware attack that may further strain its finances. Despite these hurdles, Lee Enterprises remains a major player in local journalism, with the Rapid City Journal serving as a vital resource for Black Hills residents.
The settlement awaits final court approval, expected to be reviewed in the coming months. If approved, it will provide compensation to affected subscribers while highlighting the growing scrutiny of digital privacy practices in the media industry. For Black Hills residents, this case underscores the importance of understanding how personal data is handled by trusted local news outlets like the Rapid City Journal. I urge the community to stay informed, check eligibility, and file claims to hold companies accountable for protecting subscriber privacy.
Disclaimer: The information provided is based on available sources and personal perspective. Subscribers should verify eligibility and claim details through official settlement notices. For more information on Lee Enterprises’ operations, see their SEC filings or visit the Rapid City Journal’s website or http://notice.rg2claimsnotice.com/rd/9z3zn430pma63816olphsj00a9da89b1egd7fkf2rdg_rp22sh2s8i6eob0sjge6oj4c3h2bs