Forbes has reached a preliminary $10 million settlement in a California class-action lawsuit that accused the publication of secretly recording what articles readers visited and selling that behavioral data to advertisers — without users’ knowledge or consent. The lawsuit was filed under California’s wiretapping law, which prohibits capturing private communications without permission.
This is part of a broader legal trend: publishers and ad networks are increasingly facing consequences for tracking technology embedded on their websites. While no passwords or financial accounts were exposed, this case is a reminder that ordinary web browsing — the articles you read, the topics you search — can be monitored and sold. The settlement does not require Forbes to admit any wrongdoing.
How to check if you’re affected
Affected devices are any phone, tablet, or computer you used to browse Forbes.com before the settlement. Here is what you can do:
- Check your device’s browser settings: On any browser — Chrome, Safari, Firefox — go to Settings → Privacy and look for “Block third-party cookies” or “Tracking protection.” Enabling this reduces what sites like Forbes can share with advertisers.
- Use a browser extension: Tools like uBlock Origin or Privacy Badger automatically block invisible tracking scripts on your device without affecting the articles you can read.
- Review your browser’s ad preferences: Visit
google.com/settings/adsandoptout.aboutads.infoto see and opt out of interest-based profiles built from your browsing habits. - If you read Forbes regularly before 2026: You may be eligible to join the settlement class. Check the settlement notice when it becomes available through the court docket.