Get tomorrow's brief in your inbox
Today: Nine class action data breach settlements totaling $3.8 million await claims from affected consumers. The Ninth Circuit ruled that Section 230 dismissals are not immediately appealable, forcing online platforms to fight costly litigation before immunity protections apply. Federal courts are split on Trump administration immigration detention policies, with the Supreme Court likely to resolve whether ICE can detain long-term residents without bond hearings.
$2.5M Ernst & Young, Bank of America MOVEit Data Breach Settlement
Ernst & Young and Bank of America agreed to pay $2.5 million to resolve claims that they failed to protect consumers from the MOVEit data breach. The settlement addresses allegations that both companies failed to implement adequate security measures to prevent unauthorized access to personal information during the widespread MOVEit Transfer vulnerability exploitation. Class members who received breach notification letters may be eligible for cash payments and identity protection services.
$475K Total Vision Data Breach Settlement
Total Vision agreed to a $475,000 class action settlement resolving claims stemming from a data breach that compromised personal information of customers. Individuals who received data breach notification letters from Total Vision may qualify for cash compensation and credit monitoring services under the settlement terms.
$385,000 Pierce County Library System Data Breach Settlement
Pierce County Library System agreed to pay $385,000 to resolve claims that a data breach compromised the personal information of employees, contractors, and their family members. The settlement provides compensation for affected individuals who can demonstrate losses related to the breach, along with extended identity monitoring services.
$647,000 USAA Michigan Auto Insurance Settlement
USAA agreed to a $647,000 class action settlement over allegations it failed to pay full sales tax and fees on leased vehicles insured under Michigan policies. The settlement resolves claims that USAA underpaid total loss claims by not including applicable Michigan sales taxes and registration fees when reimbursing policyholders for leased vehicle losses.
Ninth Circuit: Section 230 Immunity Denials Not Immediately Appealable (California v. Meta)
A Ninth Circuit three-judge panel held that district court denials of Section 230 immunity are not immediately appealable under the collateral order doctrine. The court ruled that Section 230 provides immunity from liability rather than immunity from suit, meaning platforms must defend through discovery and trial before appellate review is available. The ruling requires online services to bear the full cost of litigation before Section 230 protections can be vindicated on appeal, potentially incentivizing platforms to remove user speech preemptively or exit the hosting market entirely.
Trump Defamation Case Against CNN Reaches Supreme Court
President Donald Trump petitioned the Supreme Court to review his defamation case against CNN. Trump contends that CNN's use of the phrase "the Big Lie" to describe his election fraud claims falsely linked him to Adolf Hitler and Nazi propaganda, constituting defamation. The Eleventh Circuit upheld dismissal of the case, finding that "Big Lie" was ambiguous opinion rather than a false statement of fact. Trump argues the Eleventh Circuit's approach conflicts with four other circuits that use contextual, multi-factor tests under Milkovich v. Lorain Journal Co. to determine whether opinion statements convey objectively verifiable facts. CNN's response is due September 21, 2026.
Target Class Action Alleges Trump Tariff Overcharges
A new class action lawsuit claims Target owes consumers refunds after allegedly collecting millions by raising prices on both imported and locally sourced goods in response to Trump administration tariffs that were later struck down by the Supreme Court. The complaint alleges Target failed to reverse price increases after the tariff invalidation, resulting in unjust enrichment at consumer expense.
TikTok Settles Teen Mental Health Lawsuits
TikTok settled three lawsuits brought by young people alleging the social media platform caused them mental health harm through addictive design features. Settlement terms were not disclosed. The resolution follows broader litigation against social media companies over youth mental health impacts, including pending cases consolidated in multidistrict litigation.
Steve Madden False Discount Class Action
A new class action accuses Steve Madden of running a false discount scheme using inflated reference prices to mislead consumers into believing they are receiving better deals than actually offered. The complaint alleges the company artificially inflates "compare at" or "original" prices that were never charged in regular commerce, creating deceptive markdown percentages.
Google AI Subscription False Reference Pricing Class Action
A new class action alleges Google uses false reference pricing to market its Gemini AI subscription products, displaying inflated "original" prices alongside promotional rates to suggest greater value than actually provided.
Supreme Court to Decide ICE Detention Without Bond Hearings
Multiple federal circuits have split on whether ICE can detain migrants who have been living in the United States for many years without allowing them to request release on bond from an immigration judge. Seven circuits (1st, 2nd, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 11th) ruled the Trump administration policy illegal, holding that mandatory detention provisions apply only at or near the border while individuals within the interior can request bond hearings. The Sixth Circuit also found the policy violates Fifth Amendment due process. The Department of Justice and migrant advocates have both petitioned the Supreme Court to resolve the circuit split. ICE detention has grown from 40,000 daily detainees in January 2025 to 65,634 in July 2026.
Fourth Circuit Upholds Injunction Against Immigration Arrests at Houses of Worship
The Fourth Circuit upheld an injunction preventing immigration officials from conducting enforcement actions at houses of worship following the Department of Homeland Security's January 2025 rescission of longstanding protective policies. Senior Circuit Judge Barbara Keenan found the new policy likely violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and First Amendment expressive association rights by discouraging immigrants from attending worship services. The ruling affects enforcement operations in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.
Florida Republicans Challenge 2020 Census Statistical Methods
A group of Florida Republicans appealed to the Supreme Court seeking to require the Census Bureau to revise 2020 census data, arguing that statistical imputation methods violated the Constitution's "actual Enumeration" requirement. A three-judge district court dismissed the claims, finding challengers lacked standing because they did not plausibly allege the statistical methods caused Florida's undercount, and the requested remedy (contacting 18.8 million people five years after the census) was impracticable. The district court also ruled the lawsuit was barred by a four-year statute of limitations. Challengers argue the case is governed by Utah v. Evans (2002) and the six-year statute of limitations for suits against the United States.
Police Departments Instructed to Conceal Flock ALPR Camera Usage
A usage policy for Flock automated license plate reader cameras in Wapello County, Iowa instructs police officers: "DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE TO THE OCCUPANTS OF THE VEHICLE" and "DO NOT MENTION ALPR USAGE IN YOUR REPORT OR COMPLAINT UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY." The directive prevents defendants from learning that ALPR surveillance contributed to their arrests, potentially impairing their ability to challenge the evidence or investigate Fourth Amendment violations.
Supreme Court Emergency Docket Public Opinion Survey Results
A survey of 1,455 American adults found 83% believe it is important for the Supreme Court to explain reasons for emergency docket decisions (58% said very important). Sixty-one percent said emergency decisions are necessary, though views differed on whom they favor: 36% said Republicans, 20% said Democrats, and 25% said neither party. Thirty-six percent said emergency decisions favor the government over individuals (14% said individuals, 26% said neither). Democrats were more likely to perceive pro-government bias (46%) than Republicans (30%).
White House Ballroom Construction Dispute Briefing Complete
The Trump administration urged the Supreme Court to stay a D.C. Circuit injunction blocking above-ground construction of a $400 million White House ballroom, arguing the project is a national security imperative. The National Trust for Historic Preservation responded that the administration is trying to outrun judicial review by rushing construction to make deconstruction impossible. The D.C. Circuit majority found only Congress has power to regulate White House construction and has not appropriated funds for the ballroom. Construction has continued during litigation and is 65% complete. The matter is fully briefed and the Court could rule at any time.