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Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2025
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies
We may from time to time be involved in certain legal proceedings and regulatory compliance matters in the ordinary course of business, including claims of alleged infringement of trademarks, patents, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights; employment claims; and contractual and related disputes brought through private actions, class actions, administrative proceedings, regulatory actions or other litigation. We may also, from time to time, be involved in various legal or government claims, demands, disputes, investigations, or requests for information. Such matters may include, but not be limited to, claims, disputes, or investigations related to warranty, refund, breach of contract, employment, intellectual property, government regulation, or compliance or other matters.

On June 27, 2025, Alicia Freeman, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a complaint in California Superior Court, Santa Clara County asserting violations of certain California privacy laws and seeking declaratory relief and compensatory, punitive, and statutory damages, and attorneys’ fees. The parties have agreed that the matter be referred to binding arbitration and this case be stayed pending completion of the arbitration. Currently, losses are reasonably possible, but not estimable. The Company disputes these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter.

On March 1, 2023, Plaintiff Shiva Stein, derivatively on behalf of Chegg, filed a stockholder derivative complaint in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (Case No. 2023-0244-NAC) asserting breach of fiduciary duty, unjust enrichment, and waste of corporate asset claims against members of Chegg’s Board and certain Chegg officers. The matter is stayed. The Company disputes these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter.

On December 22, 2022, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (JPMC) asserted a demand for repayment by the Company of certain investment proceeds received by the Company in its capacity as an investor in TAPD, Inc. (more commonly known as “Frank”). JPMC seeks such repayment pursuant to certain provisions in the existing Support Agreement between JPMC and the Company that was entered into in connection with JPMC's acquisition of Frank. JPMC has alleged fraud on the part of certain former Frank executives regarding the quantity and quality of its customer accounts. The Company is not at fault, however, is pursuing resolution with JPMC.

On March 30, 2022, Joseph Robinson, derivatively on behalf of Chegg, filed a shareholder derivative complaint against Chegg and certain of its current and former directors and officers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging violations of securities laws and breaches of fiduciary duties. On February 22, 2023, Plaintiff filed an Amended Shareholder Derivative Complaint. This matter has been consolidated with Choi, below, and both matters are stayed. The Company disputes these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter.

On January 12, 2022, Rak Joon Choi, derivatively on behalf of Chegg, filed a shareholder derivative complaint against Chegg and certain of its current and former directors and officers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging violations of securities laws, breaches of fiduciary duties, unjust enrichment, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, and waste of corporate assets. On February 22, 2023, Plaintiff filed an Amended Shareholder Derivative Complaint. This matter has been consolidated with Robinson, above, and both matters are stayed. The Company disputes these claims and intends to vigorously defend itself in this matter.

On December 22, 2021, Steven Leventhal, individually and on behalf of all others similarly situated, filed a purported securities fraud class action on behalf of all purchasers of Chegg common stock between May 5, 2020 and November 1, 2021, inclusive, against Chegg and certain of its current and former officers in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California (Case No. 5:21-cv-09953), alleging that Chegg and several of its officers made materially false and misleading statements in violation of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended (the Exchange Act). On September 7, 2022, KBC Asset Management and The Pompano Beach Police & Firefighters Retirement System were appointed as lead plaintiff in the case. On December 8, 2022, Plaintiff filed his Amended Complaint seeking unspecified compensatory damages, costs, and expenses, including counsel and expert fees. On September 26, 2024, the parties participated in an in-person mediation and reached a settlement in principle to pay $55.0 million wherein the Company denies any and all allegations of fault, liability, wrongdoing, or damages. On November 6, 2024, Plaintiffs filed a motion for preliminary approval of the settlement. The Court held a final approval hearing on April 24, 2025 and issued its final order
approving of the settlement on May 21, 2025. The Court entered its Final Judgment and Order of Dismissal on June 20, 2025. On October 29, 2025, Plaintiffs filed their final Motion for Distribution with the Court, which will result in final approval for all accepted claims and will direct distribution of funds. Insurance funds are now expected to be disbursed in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2025 or the first quarter of fiscal year 2026. The estimated contingent liability for the loss contingency recorded was $55.0 million as of September 30, 2025 and was included within accrued liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. The same amount was recorded for expected insurance loss recoveries, which is included within other current assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

On September 13, 2021, Pearson Education, Inc. (Pearson) filed a complaint captioned Pearson Education, Inc. v. Chegg, Inc. (Pearson Complaint) in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey against the Company (Case 2:21-cv-16866), alleging infringement of Pearson’s registered copyrights and exclusive rights under copyright in violation of the United States Copyright Act. Pearson is seeking injunctive relief, monetary damages, costs, and attorneys’ fees. The Company filed its answer to the Pearson Complaint on November 19, 2021. Pearson’s June 29, 2022 Motion for Leave to File Amended Complaint seeking to add Bedford, Freeman & Worth Publishing Group, LLC d/b/a Macmillan Learning as a plaintiff was denied. Pearson filed an Amended Complaint on May 10, 2023, and the Company filed an amended answer on June 7, 2023. Chegg and Pearson have resolved this litigation. Pursuant to the terms of the parties' confidential settlement, the Court dismissed the case with prejudice on December 20, 2024. While the terms of the settlement are confidential, Chegg’s decision to settle the lawsuit was driven by the expense, burden and uncertainty of ongoing protracted litigation.

On June 18, 2020, we received a Civil Investigative Demand (CID) from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regarding certain alleged deceptive or unfair acts or practices related to consumer privacy and/or data security. On October 31, 2022, the FTC published the parties’ agreed-upon consent order regarding Chegg’s privacy and data security practices. On January 27, 2023, the FTC finalized its order (Final Order) requiring Chegg to implement a comprehensive information security program, limit the data the Company can collect and retain, offer users multi factor authentication to secure their accounts, and allow users to request access to and delete their data. The FTC investigated our implementation of the final order, and that investigation has been resolved without any requirements or payments.

We also cooperated with the FTC with respect to another CID (the "ROSCA CID") relating to our compliance with the Federal Trade Commission Act and the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act. The investigation concerned certain of our practices related to online transactions and consumer cancellation options. On September 28, 2025 a federal district court entered a settlement agreement between us and the FTC in connection with the ROSCA CID that contains injunctive provisions and a monetary component of $7.5 million, which we have paid. The Court entered its Order approving the parties Stipulated Order for Permanent Injunction, Monetary Judgment, and Other Relief on September 18, 2025 and resolving the matter. As such, we have relieved the $7.5 million contingent liability previously included within accrued liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheets with the associated general and administrative expense remaining on our condensed consolidated statements of operations as of September 30, 2025.

We record a contingent liability for loss contingencies related to legal matters when a loss is both probable and reasonably estimable. Additionally, we record an insurance loss recovery up to the recognized loss contingency when realization is probable. Related to the above matters, as of September 30, 2025, the net impact of contingent liabilities less the related insurance loss recovery is $7.0 million. For those matters upon which we have sufficient insurance coverage, we have recorded contingent liabilities within accrued liabilities and the loss recovery from insurance within other current assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We are not aware of any other pending legal matters or claims, individually or in the aggregate, which are expected to have a material adverse impact on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or cash flows. Our analysis of whether a claim will proceed to litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, nor can the results of litigation be predicted with certainty. Nevertheless, defending any of these actions, regardless of the outcome, may be costly, time consuming, distract management personnel and have a negative effect on our business. In the ordinary course of business and for certain of the above matters, we are actively pursuing all avenues and strategies to resolve these matters, including available legal remedies, remediation and settlement negotiations with the parties. An adverse outcome in any of these actions, including a judgment or settlement, may cause a material adverse effect on our future business, operating results or financial condition.