People Data Labs Agrees to $6.36 Million Settlement Over Colorado Cellphone Privacy Lawsuit

If you owned a cellphone number with a Colorado area code between September 2022 and March 2026, your personal phone number may have been listed and shared in a massive commercial database without your knowledge or permission. Data broker People Data Labs Inc. has agreed to pay $6,362,167 to settle a class action lawsuit alleging the company illegally included Colorado residents’ cellphone numbers in a commercial directory. Affected consumers have until September 29, 2026, to file a claim for a cash payout.

Your personal phone number is a gateway to your daily life. When data brokers harvest and sell your contact details to third parties without asking, it exposes you to relentless telemarketing calls, invasive marketing lists, and privacy intrusions. At ClassActionU.org, we believe everyday people should have complete control over their personal information, and we empower consumers to hold major data collection companies accountable when they violate state privacy laws.

What Led to the People Data Labs Cellphone Privacy Lawsuit?

The settlement resolves a federal privacy lawsuit titled Cochrane v. People Data Labs, Inc. (Case No. 3:25-cv-09533), which alleged that the business-to-business data broker unlawfully monetized the private contact information of Colorado citizens.

People Data Labs operates a massive data aggregation platform, compiling profiles on hundreds of millions of individuals to sell to businesses, recruiters, and marketers. According to court filings, the company listed Colorado cellphone numbers in its commercial directory without obtaining prior consent from the account holders between September 1, 2022, and March 3, 2026.

Plaintiffs in the case alleged that this unauthorized collection and disclosure violated the Colorado Prevention of Telemarketing Fraud Act. State privacy laws explicitly restrict how companies can package, trade, and disclose personal telecommunications data for commercial purposes without explicit permission.

People Data Labs has not admitted any wrongdoing or liability. However, to avoid the mounting costs, time, and uncertainty of extended courtroom litigation, the company agreed to establish a $6,362,167 settlement fund to resolve the claims. The settlement agreement received preliminary approval from the court on June 30, 2026.

Who Is Covered Under the People Data Labs Settlement?

Court records indicate that approximately 908,881 people fall within the settlement class.

You may be eligible to file a claim for cash if you meet all of the following criteria according to People Data Labs’ internal records:

• Database Record: You are listed in People Data Labs’ database with an inferred cellphone number.

• Colorado Area Code: Your listed cellphone number carries a Colorado area code.

• Colorado Location: Company records show an inferred current or historical Colorado location associated with your profile.

• Sourced Timeframe: People Data Labs sourced your information on or after September 1, 2022.

• Information Disclosed: Your details were disclosed or shared at least once by People Data Labs between September 1, 2022, and March 3, 2026.

If you are included on the official class list, you may have received a class notice by mail or email containing a unique Login ID and PIN to help you quickly complete your claim online.

How Much Cash Payout Can Eligible Class Members Receive?

The total $6.36 million settlement fund will be used to pay administrative expenses, court-approved attorney fees, class representative service awards, and cash payments to qualifying class members.

All remaining funds after court-approved deductions will be distributed to eligible claimants on a pro rata basis, meaning every valid claimant receives an equal share. Highlights of the payment terms include:

• No Proof Required: Class members do not need to submit receipts, phone bills, or additional paperwork to qualify for a payout.

• Pro Rata Distribution: The exact final payout per person will depend on how many of the 908,881 class members submit valid claims before the deadline.

• Equal Shares: Every approved claimant who files on time will receive the same baseline payment amount from the net fund.

Cash payments will be distributed once the court issues final approval and any potential appeals are fully resolved.

Understanding Your Privacy Rights Under State Telemarketing Laws

This class action highlights critical protections governing consumer privacy and electronic contact information. State laws like the Colorado Prevention of Telemarketing Fraud Act were enacted to shield everyday people from having their personal telephone lines commodified and broadcast to corporate buyers.

Data brokers frequently collect public records, web profiles, and commercial databases to assemble detailed consumer profiles. However, when these brokers bundle personal cellphone numbers into commercial directories without clear consent, they bypass fundamental consumer protections.

Legal protections under state statutes give citizens the legal standing to challenge tech platforms and data aggregators in court. Class action litigation enables hundreds of thousands of impacted individuals to unite, forcing data brokers to pay financial compensation and respect consumer privacy rules going forward.

Important Deadlines and Steps to Submit Your Claim for Cash

If you are an eligible class member, you must take action before the upcoming court deadlines to receive your settlement money:

• September 29, 2026 – Claim Submission Deadline: All claim forms must be completed online or postmarked by mail no later than September 29, 2026.

• November 17, 2026 – Final Approval Hearing: The court will host a final hearing to evaluate whether the settlement is fair, reasonable, and adequate, and to decide on requested legal fees and expenses.

Submitting a claim is straightforward. To complete your claim online, visit the official court-approved settlement site at PDLSettlement.com and enter the Login ID and PIN found on your class notice.

If you prefer to submit a paper claim form, you can download and print a PDF form directly from PDLSettlement.com or request one from the settlement administrator. Completed paper forms must be mailed to:

PDL PTFA Settlement

c/o Settlement Administrator

P.O. Box 25226

Santa Ana, CA 92799-9958

You can also reach the settlement administrator by emailing info@PDLSettlement.com or calling toll-free at 833-421-7342.