Estimated Award: Varies by number of claims
Claim Deadline: June 20, 2025
NCS Pearson, Inc. has agreed to an $18.2 million class action settlement to resolve claims it violated Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting biometric data—such as palm scans and facial recognition—during exam administration without proper written notice or consent.
Who Is Eligible for a Settlement Payment?
You may be eligible for compensation if either of the following applies:
- You had your palm scanned while taking an exam at a Pearson test center in Illinois between January 13, 2017, and October 25, 2023, and did not consent to Pearson’s Biometric Data Policy introduced on February 1, 2023.
- You took a remotely proctored Pearson OnVUE exam from within Illinois between August 15, 2019, and February 1, 2023, that may have used facial recognition technology.
How Much Will Class Members Receive?
Approved claimants will receive a cash payment, distributed on a pro rata basis—meaning the amount depends on the total number of valid claims submitted. The more claims received, the smaller each individual payout.
How to File a Claim
To receive compensation, eligible individuals must submit a claim form by June 20, 2025.
Claim Submission Options:
- Online: Submit your claim at the official settlement website
- Email: Send your completed claim form to info@BIPATestSettlement.com
- Mail:
Velazquez v. NCS Pearson, Inc.
c/o Settlement Administrator
P.O. Box 4778, Portland, OR 97208-4778
What Information Is Required?
To submit your claim, you must provide:
- The Unique ID found in your official settlement notice (for online submissions)
- The name of the Exam Sponsor (the organization for which your test was administered)
How Will Payments Be Made?
- Payments will be issued by check to the address listed on your claim form.
- Checks expire 90 days after being issued.
Breakdown of the $18.2M Settlement Fund
- Attorneys’ fees: Up to $6,924,320
- Class representative awards: Up to $16,000 total
- Administration costs: Amount TBD
- Class member payments: Remaining balance of the fund
Important Deadlines
- Opt-out Deadline: June 5, 2025
- Claim Submission Deadline: June 20, 2025
- Final Approval Hearing: July 8, 2025
When Will Payments Be Sent?
If the court grants final approval at the July 8, 2025 hearing and no appeals delay the process, payments will be distributed approximately 75 days later.
Why Was There a Lawsuit?
The lawsuit claimed that Pearson used palm scans and facial recognition technology during test administration in violation of Illinois’ BIPA law, which requires informed written consent before collecting biometric data. Pearson denies any wrongdoing but agreed to settle to avoid continued litigation and the risk of a trial.
Sources:
Please be aware that your claim form will be rejected if it contains fraudulent information. By submitting your information and your sworn statement of its accuracy, you are agreeing to do so under penalty of perjury. Submitting false information not only jeopardizes your claim but also affects others who are genuinely eligible for the settlement. If you are uncertain about your eligibility for this class action settlement, please visit the class action administrator’s website for more information. Note that NoProofClassActions.org participates in the Amazon affiliate advertising program, and this post may include affiliate links, which could result in us earning a commission if you make a purchase through those links.
