Columbus ParkMobile users may qualify under $32.8 million settlement

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The 21 million users of ParkMobile's parking app who were involved in an alleged data breach, you may be eligible for a part of the settlement.

ParkMobile, the company behind Columbus' parking app, was sued in 2021 for allegedly failing to protect costumers from a data breach. According to the lawsuit, users' license plate numbers, emails, addresses, birthdays, phone numbers and app passwords were all compromised during the breach.

According to ParkMobile, a $32.8 million settlement has been approved, although ParkMobile maintains its denial of the lawsuit's claims. ParkMobile's website dedicated to the lawsuit states anyone who received a notification from ParkMobile about the 2021 data security incident is eligible to be included in the settlement.

Those eligible for the settlement have until Feb. 3 to excuse themselves from the settlement or object to it. Those who exclude themselves do not release their personal claims against ParkMobile, and those who object can write to the court explaining why they do not agree. Users have until March 5, 2025 to submit a claim form and possibly receive a cash payment. Those who do nothing will receive a code via email for a $1 credit to their ParkMobile app.

Columbus' Division of Parking Services first launched its ParkColumbus app in 2019 for services in the Short North, with partial assistance from ParkMobile. The app has since expanded, now offering services city-wide. In April 2023, the ParkMobile contract is expanded further and it became the sole contractor for the ParkColumbus app, according to documents from City Council.

The decision to make ParkMobile the only contractor was done after the city searched federal and state complaint filings and found none against ParkMobile. However, the lawsuit was already underway in Georgia courts. In April, Columbus extended its contract by $1,200,000 to sustain the app through at least March 31 more than doubling its original investment.

In October, ParkMobile announced it will soon be offering parking at Easton Town Center, and it is also an option for temporary surface lot parking at The Ohio State University. Although ParkMobile does partner with the city, company representatives assured NBC4 in August that the city's data hack did not compromise users' data.

Those who think they may qualify under the lawsuit can explore their filing options here.