Anime streaming platform Crunchyroll is facing a class action lawsuit.

The lawsuit alleges the company shared users’ private viewing data with a marketing firm without their consent.

Filed on March 5 in the US Central District of California this case claims the company violated the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by transmitting subscriber information to marketing company Braze.

According to the complaint Crunchyroll allegedly embedded software from Braze into its mobile app that allowed the transmission of user data including email addresses, device identifiers, anime titles and even specific episodes being watched.

Plaintiffs argue the information enabled Braze to build detailed profiles of viewers for targeted marketing and notifications.

“The information transmitted enables Braze to identify exactly what video content each specific Crunchyroll subscriber is watching,” the legal filing states.

“Over time, through repeated transmissions, the App facilitates building comprehensive profiles of each user’s viewing behavior.”

The lawsuit seeks statutory damages of $2,500 per violation for each affected user along with additional punitive damages.

The case titled Cabonios v. Crunchyroll, LLC could have major financial implications because of the platform’s large user base.

Crunchyroll reportedly has more than 130 million registered accounts worldwide and around 17 million paying subscribers.

Legal observers note the allegations come only a few years after Crunchyroll settled a similar privacy case.

In 2023 the company agreed to a $16 million settlement tied to alleged VPPA violations involving the sharing of viewer data.

The Video Privacy Protection Act originally introduced by former US Senator Patrick Leahy was designed to protect the confidentiality of individuals’ viewing habits.

The lawsuit claims that anime viewing data can reveal personal interests and preferences that many users expect to remain private.

Crunchyroll has not publicly responded to the allegations.

Legal proceedings could take years to resolve though many similar cases in the tech and streaming industry have ultimately ended in settlements rather than full trials.