Weekly Briefing: Class Actions in Data Privacy, Antitrust, and Product Liability

This week in consumer protection, several significant class action and enforcement developments have emerged, covering data privacy, antitrust allegations in the rental market, and product liability. These cases highlight ongoing efforts to hold companies accountable for their practices and secure compensation for consumers.

Many claim deadlines are fast approaching, so eligible individuals should review the specifics of each settlement.

Willow Bridge Settles Antitrust Claims in Landlord Algorithmic Coordination

The Justice Department's Antitrust Division has reached a proposed settlement with Willow Bridge Property Company LLC, one of America's largest landlords ^[7]. This settlement addresses claims related to algorithmic coordination and the sharing of competitively sensitive data in rental markets ^[7].

The Justice Department filed the proposed settlement as part of its ongoing enforcement action in the Middle District of North Carolina ^[7].

This action is focused on combating anticompetitive practices, including the use of algorithms to coordinate rent pricing and the exchange of sensitive information among competitors ^[7]. The settlement builds upon earlier proposed settlements in the same enforcement action, which involved RealPage Inc.

and other large landlords such as Cortland Management LLC, Greystar Management Services LLC, and LivCor LLC ^[7]. Willow Bridge was alleged to have actively participated in a scheme with five other landlord co-defendants to set rents using each other's competitively sensitive information ^[7].

The proposed decree aims to prohibit such algorithmic coordination and the exchange of sensitive data ^[7].

Metformin NDMA Contamination Class Action Settlement Approaching Deadline

A class action settlement involving Teva, Granules, and Heritage Metformin for NDMA contamination is nearing its claim deadline ^[3]. 55 million ^[3].

Individuals who purchased Metformin from these manufacturers may be eligible to file a claim ^[3]. The deadline to file a claim for this settlement is July 10, 2026 ^[3].

Metformin is a medication commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. The lawsuit concerned allegations of N-Nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) contamination in the drug.

While no proof is specifically mentioned as required, individuals should review the settlement details to confirm eligibility and any necessary documentation ^[3].

Lake Consumer Products Settles Benzene Contamination Claims in Shampoo for $1.2 Million

A $1.2 million settlement has been reached in a class action lawsuit against Lake Consumer Products ^[2]. This settlement resolves allegations that the company's coal tar shampoo was contaminated with benzene ^[2]. The agreement offers cash and vouchers to affected consumers ^[2].

Benzene contamination in consumer products, especially those applied to the body, has been a recurring concern in class action litigation ^[2]. Consumers who purchased Lake Consumer Products' coal tar shampoo may be eligible to receive compensation ^[2].

The specific eligibility requirements and claim filing process would need to be checked, though the report does not provide a deadline at this time ^[2].

Volkswagen and Audi Takata Airbag Settlement Fund Totals $42 Million

35 million Volkswagen and Audi vehicles equipped with Takata airbags ^[1]. This settlement provides up to $500 in residual claims without proof, or reimbursement for documented out-of-pocket costs ^[1].

To be eligible for the residual payment, vehicle owners or lessees needed to have owned or leased an affected vehicle on November 10, 2021, or sold/returned one between February 9, 2016, and November 10, 2021 ^[1].

The deadline to register a vehicle for this settlement, particularly for the no-proof residual payment, is July 8, 2026 ^[1]. Due to the widespread nature of the Takata airbag recalls, many vehicle owners across various manufacturers have been impacted by these safety issues ^[1].

Multiple Data Breach Settlements Have Imminent Claim Deadlines

Several class action settlements related to data breaches are approaching their claim deadlines this week, offering compensation and credit monitoring to affected individuals. These include:

• QPharma Data Breach Class Action Settlement: Offers up to $750 for ordinary losses or $5,000 for extraordinary losses, plus credit monitoring. The claim deadline is July 7, 2026 ^[1].
• Concord Orthopaedics Data Breach Class Action Settlement: Provides up to $3,000 for documented losses, up to $100 for lost time, or $50 cash, along with one year of medical monitoring. Proof of identity is required, and the deadline is July 8, 2026 ^[1].
• Anne Arundel Dermatology Data Breach Class Action Settlement: A $2.4 million fund offers up to $5,000 or approximately $100 cash, plus three years of medical monitoring. The claim deadline is July 8, 2026 ^[1].
• BMS CAT Data Breach Class Action Settlement: Offers up to $5,000 for documented losses or approximately $100 cash. Proof of identity is required, and the deadline to file is July 8, 2026 ^[1].

Consumers affected by these data breaches should review the specific settlement websites to determine eligibility and submit claims before their respective deadlines. Many data breach settlements allow claims for out-of-pocket expenses, lost time, and in some cases, provide cash payments without extensive documentation [1, 2].

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This weekly briefing is generated from publicly available materials (SEC, FTC, DOJ, CFPB, CourtListener) for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify details with the linked primary sources.