What Is the Forbes Settlement?
Forbes Media LLC has agreed to a proposed $10 million settlement in a California privacy class action over website tracking technology.
Forbes is a global media brand known for business, entrepreneurship and finance coverage.
Who Is Eligible?
The settlement covers California residents who accessed websites owned or controlled by Forbes between December 20, 2023 and June 11, 2026 and had their IP address and/or unique identifiers shared with third parties through website trackers.
You do not need to have purchased anything, subscribed to Forbes or created a Forbes account.
Certain people connected to Forbes, the case or the Court are excluded.
How Much Money Can You Get?
There is no fixed payment amount.
Forbes will pay $10 million into a Settlement Fund. After approved fees, costs and other deductions, the remaining money will be divided among class members with valid claims.
The amount each person receives will depend on how many valid claims are filed.
Class Counsel may request up to $2.5 million in attorneys’ fees, plus litigation expenses. The two class representatives may each request up to $2,500.
No Documents Are Needed to File a Claim
You do not need receipts, screenshots or other documents showing that you visited Forbes.
If you file by paper, you must sign a statement confirming that you accessed Forbes.com while in California during the class period.
How to File a Claim
Claims can be started through the official Media Site Tracker Settlement claim page.
If you received a Class Member ID, you can file online.
If you do not have an ID, the settlement site directs you to download and mail a paper claim form.
The claim deadline is November 9, 2026. Online claims must be submitted by then, and mailed claims must be postmarked by the deadline.
For questions, contact Kroll Settlement Administration at 833-930-0568.
Why Was There a Lawsuit?
Plaintiffs Domenica Berman and Abygael Piehl allege that Forbes used website trackers without consent and that information collected through those trackers was used to support targeted advertising.
The lawsuit brings claims under the California Invasion of Privacy Act and the California Unfair Competition Law.
Forbes denies wrongdoing, and the Court has not ruled that the company violated the law.
What Else Does the Settlement Provide?
The settlement also requires Forbes to make changes intended to provide clearer notice about its use of website trackers.
Those changes are expected to include updates to privacy disclosures after the settlement becomes effective.
What Is the September 24 Deadline?
September 24, 2026 is the deadline to opt out of the settlement or object to it.
People who opt out cannot receive a settlement payment.
People who object remain part of the settlement but can tell the Court why they believe it should not be approved.
When Will Payments Be Sent?
There is no payment date yet.
The Court is scheduled to hold the Final Approval Hearing on December 2, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time in San Francisco.
Payments can be distributed only after the settlement receives final approval and any appeals are resolved.
What Happens If You Do Nothing?
If you do nothing, you will not receive a settlement payment.
Unless you exclude yourself, you will still be bound by the settlement and give up the right to pursue the released claims on your own.
About This Page
RecallRefunds.com is a consumer information site. We are not the Settlement Administrator, a law firm, Forbes or a government agency. This page summarizes a proposed class action settlement and is general information, not legal advice.