TL;DR: Crunchyroll is facing a new class action settlement in March 2026 regarding how they shared user data with a marketing platform called Braze. If your kid has been bingeing Demon Slayer or One Piece lately, their viewing habits might have been shared without your explicit consent. This isn't about "bad content"—it's a massive privacy conversation about the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA).
Quick Links for Anime Fans:
- Best "Starter" Anime: Spy x Family (Ages 10+)
- Cleanest Streaming Alternative: Studio Ghibli on Max (Ages 5+)
- Top Rated for Teens: Haicyu!! (Ages 12+)
- Educational Choice: Cells at Work! (Ages 11+)
If you feel like you’ve heard this before, you aren't experiencing glitch-in-the-matrix deja vu. Back in 2023, Crunchyroll settled a major class action suit for $16 million over claims they shared user data with Facebook (Meta).
Fast forward to March 2026, and they are back in the hot seat. This time, the focus is on a platform called Braze.
Braze is a "customer engagement platform"—basically a high-powered marketing tool that apps use to send push notifications, emails, and targeted ads. The lawsuit alleges that Crunchyroll shared "Personally Identifiable Information" (PII) along with the specific titles of the anime users were watching.
Under the Video Privacy Protection Act—a 1988 law that was originally meant to stop video rental stores from leaking your VHS history but now acts as a digital privacy shield—companies cannot share your "video tape service provider" records without a very specific kind of consent.
For parents, this means that while your kid was watching Jujutsu Kaisen, the app was potentially telling a third-party marketing firm exactly what they were watching, when, and who they are.
Learn more about the Video Privacy Protection Act
Whenever a class action like this hits the news, the first question is usually: "Do I get a check?"
While you might be eligible for a small payout if you had a Crunchyroll account between 2023 and 2025, the real issue for intentional parents is the data profile being built on our kids.
Anime isn't just a hobby; for many kids in middle and high school, it’s a personality. They aren't just "watching a show"; they are deep in the lore of Attack on Titan or learning Japanese phrases because of Naruto.
When platforms share viewing data with marketing firms like Braze, they are helping build a psychological profile of your child.
- What themes do they respond to?
- Are they into "shonen" (action-heavy) or "shojo" (romance/drama)?
- How long can they be kept on the app before they drop off?
This data is then used to keep them in the "scroll hole" longer. It’s not just about selling them a Funko Pop (though it’s definitely about that, too); it’s about weaponizing their interests to maximize their screen time.
Let’s be real: Crunchyroll is the gold standard for anime. If your kid is an anime fan, they are going to want it. It has the largest library, the fastest "simulcasts" (shows that air right after they premiere in Japan), and a community that feels "official."
The content itself varies wildly. You’ve got everything from the wholesome Bananya (cats in bananas, literally) to the ultra-violent Chainsaw Man.
If you're worried about the privacy side of things, you have a few options that don't involve banning anime entirely (which, let's be honest, would just lead to them watching it on sketchy, ad-ridden pirated sites that are way worse for privacy).
Better Ways to Stream Anime
If the Crunchyroll legal drama has you wanting to jump ship, here is where the community is heading:
Hulu has a surprisingly deep anime library thanks to partnerships with Funimation and Viz Media. It feels a bit more "locked down" than a dedicated anime app, and the parental controls are more robust for younger kids. It’s great for mainstream hits like My Hero Academia.
Netflix has been pouring billions into original anime. Shows like Little Witch Academia (Ages 7+) and Kotaro Lives Alone (Ages 13+) are high-quality and don't require a separate subscription. Plus, their "Kids" profile settings are much easier to manage than Crunchyroll's clunky interface.
If you want the "prestige" version of anime without the privacy headaches of niche apps, the Studio Ghibli collection is essentially the Disney of Japan. These are beautiful, cinematic experiences like Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro that are safe for almost all ages.
If your kid is staying on the platform, you don't have to just throw your hands up. Here is the "intentional parent" checklist for 2026:
- Check the "Do Not Sell My Info" Link: Almost every app now has a hidden link in the footer or settings. On Crunchyroll, go to settings and look for "Privacy Preferences." Opt-out of everything that isn't required for the app to function.
- Use Apple's Privacy Features: If they are on an iPhone or iPad, ensure "Allow Apps to Request to Track" is turned OFF in the main iOS settings. When Crunchyroll asks to track, say "No."
- Burner Emails: For older teens who want their own accounts, suggest they use a "burner" email or the "Hide My Email" feature if they have iCloud+. There’s no reason Crunchyroll needs their primary email address that is linked to their school or social accounts.
- Monitor the "Watchlist": Crunchyroll doesn't have great individual profiles like Netflix. If you share an account, you can see exactly what they're watching just by looking at the history.
Ask our chatbot for a step-by-step guide on setting up anime parental controls
Instead of making this about "the law" (which will make their eyes glaze over faster than a math lecture), use the lawsuit as a way to talk about Digital Sovereignty.
- "Did you know apps get paid to tell other companies what you're watching?" Ask them if they think it's weird that a marketing company knows they just finished Season 4 of Haikyu!!.
- "How do you think the 'Recommended for You' section works?" Help them understand the algorithm. It’s not magic; it’s data mining.
- "Is the 'free' version worth it?" Crunchyroll has a free, ad-supported tier. Talk about the trade-off: if you aren't paying for the product, you (and your data) are the product.
If you're feeling a bit lost with the lingo, don't worry. In 2026, anime isn't just "cartoons." It's a gateway to a lot of other digital habits.
- The "Ohio" and "Skibidi" Connection: You’ll see a lot of "brain rot" memes (like Skibidi Toilet) intersecting with anime culture on YouTube and TikTok. Kids use anime characters in these weird, surreal edits. It’s mostly harmless, but it shows how integrated these shows are in their daily digital language.
- Roblox and Anime: A huge percentage of the top games on Roblox are "Anime Fighters" or "Blox Fruits" (based on One Piece). If they love the show, they are likely playing the game.
- Fan Fiction and Discord: If your teen is deep into a series, they are likely on Discord servers or Archive of Our Own reading fan-made stories. This is where the real "wild west" of anime culture lives—and where you should be most attentive to who they are talking to.
Check out our guide on Discord safety for anime fans
The 2026 Crunchyroll lawsuit is a reminder that even our kids' "harmless" hobbies are being tracked by sophisticated marketing machines.
You don't need to delete the app and throw the iPad in a lake. Anime can be an incredible way for kids to explore complex themes like heroism, grief, and friendship. But as an intentional parent, you should take five minutes to tighten those privacy settings and have a quick chat about why their data is so valuable to companies like Braze.
Stay Screenwise, and maybe go watch Spy x Family with them—it’s actually pretty great.
- Check your email: Look for "Crunchyroll Settlement Notice" to see if you're eligible for the 2026 claim.
- Audit the apps: Check the privacy settings on any niche streaming services your kids use (like HIDIVE or Webtoon).
- Take the Survey: If you haven't yet, complete the Screenwise survey to see how your family's anime habits compare to your local community.