Summary
T-Mobile US, Inc. (TMUS) announced on July 22, 2022, a proposed settlement for a consolidated class action lawsuit stemming from a 2021 criminal cyberattack. This settlement, if approved by the court, would involve an aggregate payment of $350.0 million to fund claims, legal fees, and settlement administration costs. Additionally, T-Mobile has committed to an incremental spend of $150.0 million for data security and related technology enhancements in 2022 and 2023. The company anticipates this settlement, along with other resolved consumer claims, will substantially resolve all claims from impacted customers related to the 2021 breach. T-Mobile expects to record a pre-tax charge of approximately $400 million in the second quarter of 2022 to cover the class action settlement and other related settlements. Importantly, both the charge and the increased investment in data security were contemplated within the Company’s previously issued financial guidance, suggesting minimal impact on their stated financial outlook.
Key Highlights
- 1Proposed settlement agreement reached to resolve a class action lawsuit related to the 2021 data breach.
- 2Total aggregate payment of $350.0 million to fund class member claims, legal fees, and settlement administration.
- 3Commitment of an additional $150.0 million for data security and technology investments over 2022 and 2023.
- 4Expected pre-tax charge of approximately $400 million to be recorded in Q2 2022 for the settlement.
- 5Settlement subject to preliminary and final court approval, with final approval potentially in December 2022.
- 6Settlement includes no admission of liability by T-Mobile or other defendants.
- 7The financial impact of the settlement and data security spend was already factored into prior financial guidance.