Have you downloaded the CapCut app?
You may be entitled to compensation for the company’s alleged improper use of your sensitive data. Fill out the form to find out your rights »
WHAT’S THE ISSUE?
Hagens Berman attorneys have filed a nationwide class-action lawsuit against ByteDance, the company that owns popular video editing app CapCut. The lawsuit alleges that CapCut profits from illegal use and dissemination of highly sensitive user data, including unique identifying information, email addresses, passcodes, biometric data and geolocation. The lawsuit also alleges that the company makes sensitive user data available to the Chinese government for surveillance and other purposes.
WHO IS AFFECTED?
The CapCut app allows users to edit videos for use on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook or other media platforms that support video content. The app was downloaded more than 400 million times in 2022 alone, making it the fourth most downloaded app in the world. If you have ever downloaded the CapCut app, fill out the form to learn more about this investigation.
WHAT USER DATA DOES CAPCUT COLLECT?
The video editing app allegedly collects the following highly sensitive information from its users:
- Unique identifying information
- Biometric data — unique physical characteristics like fingerprints, voiceprints, facial measurements and iris scans
- Images, video and digital recordings
- Audio recordings
- Clipboard data
- Geolocation
- Names
- E-mail addresses
- Passcodes
- Social media accounts
- Messaging services
- Telephone numbers
HOW CAPCUT ALLEGEDLY PROFITS FROM USER DATA
According to the lawsuit, CapCut leverages user data in a number of ways, including in targeted advertising, improvements to ByteDance’s artificial intelligence technologies, patent applications and in the development of consumer demand for, and use of, ByteDance’s other products. We believe evidence will show that this data can be used to track users by age, gender, location, operating system and interest in order to attract marketing and ad sales. According to the complaint, by collecting and filtering this user data, ByteDance is able to utilize the data to, among other things, improve its sophisticated targeted ad and marketing platform that allows its clientele to target demographics with precision. Additionally, the lawsuit claims, because of ByteDance’s connections to the Chinese government, user data is at risk of being compromised for political reasons. Because of these and other security concerns, the United States Congress is considering legislation requiring a nationwide ban of CapCut if its Chinese owner does not sell the video editor app.
YOUR CONSUMER RIGHTS
We believe that evidence will show that CapCut and ByteDance’s conduct violates statutory, constitutional and common law privacy, data, biometrics and consumer protection law, and users may be entitled to compensation.
EXPERIENCED LAW FIRM
Hagens Berman is one of the most successful plaintiffs’ litigation law firms in the U.S. and has achieved settlements valued at more than $322 billion in settlements in lawsuits against major corporations, big banks and other entities. Potential claims will be handled by lawyers experienced in these matters.
NO COST TO YOU
In no case will any class member ever be asked to pay any out-of-pocket sum. In the event Hagens Berman or any other firm obtains a settlement that provides benefits to class members, the court will decide a reasonable fee to be awarded to the class's legal team.
