T-Mobile is now distributing compensation payments to customers affected by its major 2021 data breach, which exposed personal information of around 76 million people. The wireless carrier agreed to a $350 million settlement to resolve lawsuits linked to the breach, although it denies any wrongdoing.
This settlement does not relate to T-Mobile’s 2022 breach, which affected 37 million additional users.
What Happened in the 2021 Breach?
In 2021, T-Mobile suffered a significant cyberattack that compromised a large amount of customer data. This included names, birth dates, driver’s license details, and Social Security numbers. As a result, the company faced multiple lawsuits claiming it failed to protect users’ private information.
To settle the legal action, T-Mobile agreed to a $350 million payout to the data breach victims. The main issue at the heart of the case was violation of a court order related to protecting customer data.
Who Is Eligible for Compensation?
Eligible customers are now receiving reimbursement. An update on the official settlement website confirmed that the court proceedings have concluded and payments will be made this month.
Here’s how compensation breaks down:
- Impacted users with financial losses could receive up to $25,000 if they provided proof.
- Customers without documented damages, even if they didn’t file a claim, may receive up to $25.
- California residents might get slightly more — up to $100 due to state-specific privacy laws.
Who Is Not Eligible?
While 76 million people were affected, the $350 million settlement pool is being divided among all eligible claimants. After legal fees and expenses, most people are expected to receive around $4.50 each unless they submitted proof of larger financial losses.
Those who weren’t affected by the 2021 breach or didn’t file a claim in time are not eligible for compensation.
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