Meta Platforms Inc., the company behind Facebook, has agreed to pay $725 million in a landmark privacy settlement. This case dates back to the infamous Cambridge Analytica scandal, where Facebook was accused of sharing user data with third parties without consent. If you were a Facebook user between 2007 and 2022, you could be entitled to a payout. Here’s everything you need to know.
Who Qualifies for the Settlement?
If you were a Facebook user in the U.S. between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, you qualify. It doesn’t matter if you still have a Facebook account or deleted it—you’re still eligible as long as you had an account during that period.
How the Settlement Works
The $725 million settlement will be divided among eligible claimants after legal and administrative fees are deducted. The final amount each person receives will depend on:
- How long you had a Facebook account: The more years you were active, the more you’ll likely receive.
- Total number of claims submitted: If a large number of people filed, individual payouts could be smaller.
Estimates suggest the payout could be around $30 per person, but this will vary based on the number of approved claims.
What if You Missed the Deadline?
The deadline to submit a claim was August 25, 2023. If you didn’t file by then, unfortunately, you won’t be eligible to receive any funds from the settlement.
For those who did file on time, sit tight. The court has given final approval for the settlement, but appeals could delay payments until 2025 or later.
How to Check or Stay Updated
If you’re wondering about the status of your claim or the payment timeline, the official settlement website has you covered. Visit facebookuserprivacysettlement.com for updates and details.
Why Is Facebook Paying Out So Much?
This case stems from allegations that Facebook allowed companies like Cambridge Analytica to access personal information from millions of users without permission. The lawsuit accused Facebook of failing to properly safeguard user data, leading to this massive settlement.
Key Takeaways:
- If you used Facebook anytime between 2007 and 2022, you’re part of the settlement class.
- Payouts will depend on how long you had an account and the total number of people who filed claims.
- Payments could be delayed until 2025 due to ongoing appeals.
Even if you missed this settlement, keeping an eye on privacy-related lawsuits like this could benefit you in the future. Facebook isn’t the only company facing scrutiny for data privacy, so similar opportunities may arise.
For now, those who filed should monitor updates on the official site to ensure they don’t miss any payment details.
