If you have been a Facebook user in the U.S. anytime over the past 16 years, you have the opportunity to claim a portion of a $725 million settlement offered by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, related to privacy violations. This settlement arises from multiple lawsuits against Facebook, where users alleged that the company unlawfully shared their personal information with advertisers and data brokers. The lawsuits were initiated following the privacy scandal involving Cambridge Analytica in 2018 when user data was scraped from Facebook for voter profiling.
While Meta denies any liability or wrongdoing, a class-action website has been created to distribute the settlement funds to eligible Facebook users. To claim your share, you must be a U.S. resident who used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, and submit a claim before Friday, August 25, this year.
To file your claim, visit the claim website and provide the requested information, including your name, address, email, phone number, and details about your Facebook usage. If you deleted your account during the specified period, indicate the date range when you were an active user, and provide your Facebook username. Additionally, select your preferred payment service, such as PayPal, Venmo, or a prepaid Mastercard.
Filling out the claim form should only take a few minutes. To find your Facebook username, visit the “Account” section on Facebook’s website, go to “Settings and Privacy,” then access “Settings,” where you can locate your username. On the mobile app, navigate to the menu, tap your display name at the top of the screen, select “…” next to “Edit Profile,” and find your username under “Your Profile Link.”
If you had multiple Facebook accounts due to deletion and subsequent creation, you can claim for the full period in which you had an active account. However, if you had multiple accounts simultaneously, you cannot receive compensation for those additional accounts.
If you need to file a claim on behalf of a deceased person, begin by submitting the claim under their name and providing their information in the “Your Facebook Account” section. Then, contact the claim settlement administrator through their secure portal with a request to change the name to the beneficiary or estate of the deceased. Include relevant documentation, such as a copy of the death certificate, to support the name change.
The legitimacy of the Facebook settlement has been confirmed by Meta, as they view it as the best resolution for their community and shareholders. The exact amount of money each user will receive remains uncertain, as it will depend on the number of claimants. However, it is worth noting that attorneys involved in the case may receive up to 25% of the settlement amount, potentially reducing the final compensation for claimants.
The settlement administrator will assign one point per month for each “activated” Facebook account between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022. The net settlement amount will be divided by the total points assigned to determine the per point amount, which will then be multiplied by the number of points allocated to each claimant. Those who have been on Facebook for shorter periods may receive a lower settlement.
Payment distribution is not expected until later this year, as the settlement awaits final court approval and potential appeals. If the court approves the settlement, distribution will occur after all appeals are resolved.
While the deadline to opt out of the settlement has passed, it is crucial to note that by not filing a claim or opting out, you forfeit your right to take legal action against Facebook and will not receive any portion of the settlement amount.
Certain individuals are excluded from participating in the settlement, including Meta employees, affiliated companies or subsidiaries, plaintiff attorneys, their employees, the special master, mediators, and judges involved in the case. The settlement also does not apply to users outside the U.S. or those who did not have a Facebook account during the specified period.
Overall, this settlement provides an opportunity for U.S. Facebook users to receive compensation for privacy violations, but prompt action is necessary to secure a claim.
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