Overview
- Reports published Friday say Valnet has negotiated a $2 million settlement to resolve a class-action suit that accused the company of misclassifying freelance writers and content creators as independent contractors.
- The proposed deal covers creators who provided a California home address and who produced or edited written, video or audio content for Valnet between Dec. 21, 2019 and Aug. 3, 2026.
- Valnet denies wrongdoing and does not admit liability under the agreement, which received preliminary court approval on Oct. 6 and now awaits a final approval hearing on Feb. 2, 2027.
- Class members may object or opt out by Dec. 28, 2026, and the $2 million will be allocated to payments to eligible workers, attorneys’ fees, administrative costs, and penalties under California’s Private Attorneys General Act.
- The lawsuit alleged low per-article pay and company control over headlines, structure and SEO that left some contributors earning below minimum wage, a claim that highlights ongoing questions about pay practices as Valnet has expanded through acquisitions and moved toward heavier freelance staffing.