AT&T is facing a class action lawsuit represented by attorneys W. Mark Lanier and Chris Seeger. The Texas federal court in the United States has ruled in favor of the consumers affected by the massive leak of personal data to the dark web. In addition, illegal searches of customers’ call and message records were also conducted. For this reason, the court has decided that the company will have to compensate those affected, in addition to paying legal fees.
AT&T
It was founded in 1983 in Delaware, United States, although it is currently headquartered in Whitacre Tower, in Downtown Dallas, Texas. It is a multinational telecommunications holding company of U.S. origin. It is considered the largest provider of telephone services in the country, being the third largest company in the world in terms of revenue. AT&T offers all kinds of services related to communication. Different tariff plans, internet and WiFi service, sale of cell phones and other technological devices. Its services can be contracted through its web page or through its offices.
W. Mark Lanier and Chris Seeger
William Mark Lanier, 64, is the founder and chief executive officer of the Lanier Law Firm. This U.S. trial lawyer has led high-profile product cases, which he has won with million-dollar settlements. Remember the Johnson & Johnson baby powder lawsuit or the Merck & Co. drug Vioxx? Well, both were represented by Lanier with positive and million-dollar results. On the other hand, Christopher A. Seeger, 55, is a U.S. attorney specializing in multinational class actions and mass torts. According to a 2020 ALM study, he was the lawyer who received the most district-varied litigation appointments between 2016 and 2019. What is the relationship between these two lawyers? They are the ones representing the class action lawsuit of those affected against AT&T.
Class action lawsuit
After facing a class action lawsuit, AT&T has been forced to compensate affected customers, as ordered by a federal judge in the state of Texas. The reasons? The company failed to protect customer data. The company violated the data protection law, carrying out two malpractices. On the one hand, it leaked customers’ personal data to the deep web, and on the other hand, it illegally accessed customers’ call and message logs. The events occurred in March 2024, when the leak to the deep web took place. However, the breach of call and message logs occurred between May 2022 and January 2023.
This is why after the agreement with the judge and the affected parties, the company will have to create two non-reversible settlement funds. The first one will include a budget of $149 million for customers whose data ended up on the deep web. The second, with $28 million, will go to users whose records were illegally accessed. In addition, a portion of these funds will be used to pay attorneys’ fees. Administrative costs of the settlement, service awards, and benefits for members of the lawsuit.
Payment Methods
The company has made available to those affected a choice of cash payments or credit monitoring. Those who submit a valid claim form will receive a cash payment. The amount of the payment will depend on the number of valid claims submitted. On the other hand, individuals who submit a valid form, while waiting, can receive 24 months of credit monitoring. Although AT&T denies any wrongdoing, plaintiffs who disagree with the judge’s actions have a deadline of October 17, 2025 to file a complaint. On December 3 of the same year, the final approval hearing will take place, with a closed verdict.
Other class action lawsuits
It appears that this is not the only class action lawsuit facing AT&T. A group of New York City retirees filed several class action lawsuits alleging that the company misled investors. The complaint alleged that the company lied about the extensive use and environmental impact of its lead-wrapped cables.