A group of eight app makers, including Twitter Inc., Instagram LLC and Yelp Inc., have agreed to settle a long-running privacy class action accusing them of inappropriately accessing the address books of customers using Apple mobile devices. According to court papers filed Monday, the proposed deal would dole out $5.3 million to a class of 7 million affected users, but attorney fees will potentially cut into the total payout to plaintiffs.
Lead plaintiffs lawyers on the case at Phillips, Erlewine, Given & Carlin and Kerr & Wagstaffe have indicated that they will seek up to 30 percent of the settlement funds, or $1.59 million. Kerr & Wagstaffe’s Michael von Loewenfeldt declined to comment, citing a firm policy against discussing proposed settlements before notice has gone out to class members.
