In an era where our smartphones are essentially extensions of our lives, the privacy of the data they generate is paramount. Recent legal actions have thrust one of America’s largest telecom giants into the spotlight. The Verizon customer data lawsuit has become a major topic of discussion for millions of subscribers concerned about how their personal information is being handled, shared, and potentially sold.
If you are a Verizon subscriber, or simply someone who values digital privacy, the headlines can be confusing. There are currently overlapping legal issues involving Verizon: a massive settlement regarding administrative fees and new allegations regarding the sale of customer data without consent. This comprehensive guide will untangle the web of legal claims, explain the specifics of the Verizon customer data lawsuit, and help you understand what this means for your digital footprint.
The Susan Taylor Class Action: A Deep Dive
At the heart of the current privacy controversy is a specific class action filed in early 2025. This legal action, known formally as Taylor, et al. v. Verizon Communications Inc., was filed in the U.S. District Court for Southern District of the New York.
The Core Allegations
The plaintiff, Susan Taylor, initiated this Verizon customer data lawsuit with a serious accusation: that the wireless carrier sold sensitive customer data to third parties without obtaining proper consent. According to court documents, the lawsuit alleges that Verizon profited from selling Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI). This isn’t just basic contact info; the claim suggests that highly personal data points were shared.
The lawsuit outlines that the following types of data may have been compromised or sold:
- Browsing history: The websites you visit on your mobile device.
- Location data: Real-time information on where you go.
- App usage: Which applications you use and how frequently.
Taylor’s legal team argues that this data was sold to data brokers and third-party advertisers. These entities allegedly used the information to create detailed profiles on consumers for targeted advertising purposes. The core of the complaint is that customers were not given a meaningful choice or opportunity to opt out of these practices before the data was shared.
Misleading Privacy Policies?
A critical element of this Verizon customer data lawsuit is the claim that Verizon’s privacy policy was deceptive. The plaintiff argues that while the company suggested data shared with third parties was “de-identified” or “aggregated” (meaning it couldn’t be traced back to a specific person), this was misleading. The lawsuit contends that the insights developed from this data could indeed be used to identify individual customers, constituting an unwarranted invasion of privacy.
The suit accuses Verizon of negligence, unjust enrichment, and specifically violating the Federal Wiretap Act, a federal statute designed to protect the privacy of oral and electronic communications.
Distinguishing the Lawsuits: Privacy vs. Fees
One of the biggest sources of confusion for consumers right now is the existence of multiple legal actions. It is crucial to distinguish the privacy-focused Verizon customer data lawsuit from the recently settled “administrative charge” lawsuit. They are completely different cases with different eligibility requirements.
We have created this table to help you easily spot the differences:
| Feature | Privacy Class Action (Susan Taylor) | Admin Fee Settlement |
| Primary Issue | Sale of customer data (location, browsing) without consent. | Undisclosed “Administrative Charges” on monthly bills. |
| Status | Active litigation (Filed Feb 2025). | Settled ($100 Million fund). Closed to new claims. |
| Allegations | Violation of Federal Wiretap Act, invasion of privacy. | Deceptive billing practices, hidden fees. |
| Payouts | TBD (Seeking damages and jury trial). | Payments of up to $100 distributed in 2025. |
| Key Keyword | Verizon customer data lawsuit | Verizon Administrative Charge Settlement |
If you recently received a check or a notification about a payment from Verizon, it is likely related to the $100 million settlement for administrative fees charged between 2016 and 2023, not the new data privacy case.
The Broader Context: The $8 Billion Location Data Battle
The Verizon customer data lawsuit filed by Susan Taylor does not exist in a vacuum. It is part of a much larger wave of scrutiny facing the telecom industry. In addition to individual class actions, there is a massive consolidated legal battle involving the “Big Three” carriers: AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile.
Selling Real-Time Location
Reports indicate that these carriers are facing an aggregate of nearly $8 billion in lawsuits related to the sale of customer location data. This specific branch of litigation focuses on allegations that telecom giants provided access to real-time location data to bounty hunters, bail bondsmen, and shady marketing firms.
The danger here is palpable. Unlike browsing history, which reveals interests, location data reveals physical movements. In the wrong hands, this data can be used by stalkers or abusers to track victims. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has previously fined these carriers hundreds of millions of dollars for failing to protect this specific type of data, but the civil lawsuits aim to secure compensation for the users themselves.
The Verizon customer data lawsuit highlights a systemic issue where specialized location aggregators were allegedly given access to carrier networks with little oversight. Although carriers claim they have since stopped these programs, the lawsuits seek to hold them accountable for past actions.
What is CPNI and Why Does It Matter?
To fully understand the gravity of the Verizon customer data lawsuit, we need to unpack a specific term mentioned frequently in the filings: Customer Proprietary Network Information (CPNI).
CPNI is a technical term used by the FCC to describe the data that telecommunications companies collect about a consumer’s telephone calls. It includes:
- Time: When you made calls.
- Date: The dates of those calls.
- Duration: How long the calls lasted.
- Destination: The phone numbers you called.
Under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, carriers are legally obligated to protect CPNI. They generally cannot use, disclose, or permit access to CPNI without customer approval, except for specific operations like billing or fraud prevention.
The Verizon customer data lawsuit alleges that the company stepped outside these boundaries. By combining CPNI with other data points like app usage and browsing history, companies can build a “super-profile” of a user. If a carrier sells insights derived from this protected data to third-party advertisers without explicit, informed consent, they may be violating federal law.
The Role of the Federal Wiretap Act
The inclusion of the Federal Wiretap Act in the allegations raises the stakes. This Act is a federal law that prohibits the intentional interception of wire, oral, or electronic communications. By arguing that Verizon captured and sold data in a way that violated this Act, the plaintiffs are seeking substantial statutory damages. This is a heavy-hitting legal strategy that elevates the case beyond a simple contract dispute.
How Targeted Advertising Fuels the Issue
Why would a company sell your data? The simple answer is revenue. The digital advertising ecosystem runs on data. The more an advertiser knows about you, the more they will pay to show you an ad.
In the context of the Verizon customer data lawsuit, the complaint suggests that Verizon wanted a piece of the lucrative digital advertising pie. By leveraging its unique position as the “pipe” through which your internet traffic flows, a carrier sees things that Google or Facebook might miss.
However, consumers expect their internet service provider (ISP) or mobile carrier to act as a neutral gateway, not a spy. When you pay for a service, there is a reasonable expectation of privacy. The lawsuit claims that Verizon monetized this trust by effectively selling access to your private life to the highest bidder.
Protecting Your Data: Steps You Can Take Now
While the Verizon customer data lawsuit works its way through the New York federal court, you do not have to wait for a judge’s ruling to protect your privacy. There are actionable steps you can take today to limit how much data your carrier collects and shares.
1. Inspect Your Privacy Settings
Log into your Verizon account (via the app or website) and navigate to the privacy settings. Look for options related to “Verizon Selects” or “Custom Experience.” These are often the programs that allow the carrier to use your data for marketing and share insights with third parties. Ensure these are switched to OFF.
2. Opt-Out of CPNI Sharing
You have the right to restrict your carrier from using your CPNI for marketing purposes. You can usually do this through the privacy center on the carrier’s website or by calling customer service directly and asking to “opt out of CPNI sharing.”
3. Use a VPN
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) encrypts your internet traffic. When you use a VPN on your mobile device, your carrier can see that you are connected to the VPN, but they cannot see the specific websites you are visiting or the apps you are using. This renders the “browsing history” data useless to them.
4. Limit Location Services
Go into your phone’s general settings (iOS or Android) and audit which apps have access to your location. Furthermore, look for system services or carrier services that have location access and restrict them where possible without breaking phone functionality.
The Future of the Verizon Customer Data Lawsuit
Legal experts anticipate a long battle. Class action lawsuits of this magnitude, especially those involving complex technical definitions of data privacy, can take years to resolve.
Verizon will likely file a motion to dismiss, arguing that their Terms of Service included arbitration clauses or that customers technically consented when they signed up for service. The plaintiffs, represented by firms like Sultzer & Lipari PLLC, will argue that the consent was buried in fine print and was not “informed” consent.
If the Verizon customer data lawsuit survives the initial motions, it will move into the discovery phase. This is where the “smoking guns” often appear—internal emails, memos, and strategy documents that show exactly what executives knew about the data sales and when they knew it.
For the average consumer, the best course of action is to stay informed. If the case eventually settles (like the administrative fee case did), eligible class members will be notified. However, unlike the fee settlement which was automatic for many, data privacy settlements often require you to submit a claim form attesting that you were a customer during the specific time period.
Conclusion
The Verizon customer data lawsuit is more than just a legal headline; it is a critical examination of the modern trade-off between connectivity and privacy. With allegations swirling about the sale of browsing history, location data, and app usage to third-party advertisers, the outcome of this case could reshape how telecom companies operate in the United States.
While the $100 million administrative fee settlement has closed, this new privacy battle is just beginning. It serves as a stark reminder that in the digital age, we must remain vigilant about who has access to our personal lives. By staying informed about the Verizon customer data lawsuit and taking proactive steps to secure your data, you can better navigate the complex world of digital privacy.
As this case, Taylor, et al. v. Verizon Communications Inc., unfolds in the U.S. District Court, we will likely learn much more about the inner workings of the data brokerage industry and the price placed on our personal secrets.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the Verizon customer data lawsuit the same as the $100 million settlement I heard about?
No, they are different. The $100 million settlement was regarding “administrative fees” that Verizon charged customers between 2016 and 2023. That case has been settled, and the deadline to file a claim has passed. The new Verizon customer data lawsuit filed in 2025 focuses on the alleged selling of private customer data (like location and browsing history) without consent.
2. How do I know if I am included in the new Verizon customer data lawsuit?
Currently, the lawsuit is in its early stages. If the court certifies it as a “class action,” it will likely include nearly all Verizon postpaid customers who had their data allegedly sold or shared without proper consent. At this stage, you do not need to do anything to join; you will likely receive a notice by mail or email if the case proceeds to a settlement or trial phase.
3. Can I get money from the Verizon customer data lawsuit?
It is too early to tell. The plaintiff, Susan Taylor, is seeking actual, statutory, and punitive damages for herself and the class members. If Verizon agrees to a settlement or loses in court, customers could potentially receive compensation. However, unlike the administrative fee settlement where checks are already mailing out, any payout from this privacy lawsuit would likely be years away.
4. Did Verizon really sell my location data to bounty hunters?
The lawsuit alleges that Verizon, along with other carriers, sold location data to third-party aggregators, who in turn allowed unauthorized access to various entities, potentially including bounty hunters and car salesmen. While Verizon has stated they ended these relationships years ago, the lawsuit claims they are still liable for the privacy violations that occurred during that period.
5. What should I do to stop Verizon from sharing my data?
You should immediately review your privacy settings on the MyVerizon app or website. specifically look for “Verizon Selects,” “Custom Experience,” and “Custom Experience Plus.” Opting out of these programs limits how Verizon can use your browsing and location data for marketing and internal reports. Additionally, you can call Verizon support to explicitly opt out of CPNI (Customer Proprietary Network Information) sharing.
