Lenovo Inc. has tentatively settled a class action that alleged its preinstalled software on laptops caused performance, privacy, and security issues. The proposed settlement is for $7.3 million.
The motion for preliminary approval filed by the consumers says that approximately 500,000 class members will receive an estimated $40 or recover up to $750 in costs associated with a preinstalled computer program called VisualDiscovery.
The consumers alleged that Lenovo sold nearly 800,000 laptops with VisualDiscovery, which allegedly allowed a company called Superfish to monitor users’ online activities and tailor advertisements to their interests. They alleged that this invaded their privacy, exposed them to security breaches, and caused problems with their computers by wasting memory and making the machines run less efficiently.
The case is In re Lenovo Adware Litigation, case number 4:15-md-02624, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
