bipatestsettlement com
bipatestsettlement.com – What It Is and Why It Exists
The website bipatestsettlement.com is the official settlement page for the case Velazquez v. NCS Pearson, Inc. It explains who qualifies, how claims were handled, and what deadlines applied. If you were tested by Pearson in Illinois between 2017 and 2023, this site may have mattered to you.
The Background
This settlement comes out of Illinois’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). That law says companies can’t just collect or store biometric identifiers—things like palm scans or facial recognition—without written notice and consent. They also need to explain how long the data is kept, have a deletion schedule, and avoid profiting from it. If they don’t, each violation can mean $1,000 to $5,000 in damages.
Pearson, through its Pearson VUE testing centers and OnVUE remote proctoring, allegedly used palm scans and facial comparison technology for security checks. The claim was that they didn’t follow BIPA’s consent and disclosure requirements. Pearson denied wrongdoing but agreed to settle rather than continue fighting in court.
Who Was Included
The settlement covered two main groups:
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Anyone who had a palm or hand vein scan at a Pearson test center in Illinois between January 13, 2017 and October 25, 2023 without proper written consent.
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Anyone who took a remotely proctored OnVUE exam from Illinois between August 15, 2019 and February 1, 2023 where facial comparison technology was used.
If you didn’t fall into one of those groups, the site didn’t apply to you.
The Settlement Amount
Pearson agreed to create a settlement fund of $18,224,000. That money is shared among class members who filed valid claims, minus administrative costs, legal fees, and incentive awards for the plaintiffs who brought the lawsuit forward. Attorneys’ fees could take up to about 38% of the fund, which is common in class actions of this size. Service awards of $10,000 and $6,000 were also earmarked for lead plaintiffs.
Deadlines and Process
The site was open for claims until June 20, 2025. That was the last date to submit the required claim form online or by mail. People who wanted out of the settlement had to opt out or object by June 5, 2025. The court held a final approval hearing on July 8, 2025 and gave the green light, making the settlement binding.
Claimants needed to provide a Unique ID from the notice they got by mail or email. They also had to confirm details about their exam. Payments are issued by check, and checks expire 90 days after they’re sent.
Why It Matters
The case reinforces that biometric privacy laws have teeth. BIPA lawsuits have become common in Illinois because the penalties add up fast, and courts have supported enforcement. Companies that rely on biometric verification—whether for exams, workplace entry, or retail services—have to get written consent and publish clear data policies. For test takers, the settlement shows that biometric scans aren’t just minor inconveniences. They are legally sensitive, and improper handling creates liability.
Common Issues
Some people didn’t remember if they ever had their palm scanned or if a remote exam used facial comparison. That confusion is common because the process felt routine at the time. But without the notice and consent forms required by BIPA, companies can’t defend the practice. Another issue is low payouts. When a fund is split across thousands of people, the individual checks may not be huge. Still, it’s money owed for a legal violation.
What Happens Now
The claims deadline has passed. The settlement administrator is verifying claims and distributing funds. If you qualified but didn’t file on time, you can’t claim anything now. If you filed, expect payment within months of final approval unless there are appeals. Checks must be cashed promptly or the money reverts to the settlement fund for redistribution.
FAQ
Is bipatestsettlement.com a real site?
Yes. It is the official site for the Pearson BIPA settlement, managed by a court-appointed administrator.
How much will each person get?
It depends on how many valid claims were filed. The fund is $18.2 million, but after fees and costs, the rest is split pro rata among claimants.
What if I didn’t file a claim?
If you didn’t file by June 20, 2025, you won’t receive money. You’re still bound by the settlement unless you opted out by June 5, 2025.
Can I still sue Pearson on my own?
Not if you stayed in the class. Only those who opted out kept the right to bring their own lawsuit.
Why only Illinois?
BIPA is an Illinois law. The case only covers biometric data collected in Illinois during the listed time frames.
What biometric data was at issue?
Palm and vein scans at test centers, and facial comparison scans for remote proctored exams.
When will checks be mailed?
After final approval, which happened in July 2025. Distribution is usually completed within a few months, subject to appeals.
This is what bipatestsettlement.com is about: a centralized site to handle claims in a biometric privacy class action, with strict deadlines and specific eligibility criteria. If you were part of the group, you either already claimed or missed the chance. If not, the case still stands as an example of how biometric data laws work in practice.
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