If you are a U.S. resident who has used Facebook within the past 16 years, you now have the opportunity to claim a portion of a $725 million settlement awarded by Meta, the parent company of Facebook, for privacy violations. To take advantage of this settlement, you must submit a claim before August 25. However, it’s important to note that there are two upcoming deadlines. If you wish to opt out of the settlement and preserve your right to pursue individual legal action against Facebook, you must do so before July 26 at 11:59 Pacific time. Additionally, if you wish to file an objection to the settlement, you must do so on or before July 26.
The settlement arises from a series of lawsuits filed against Facebook by users who alleged that the company mishandled their personal information by sharing it with third-party sources like advertisers and data brokers. This litigation was sparked by the 2018 privacy scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, which illicitly gathered user data from the platform in an attempt to profile voters. Despite this settlement, Meta has denied any liability or wrongdoing, as stated on the newly created class-action website established to distribute funds to affected Facebook users. Nevertheless, U.S. residents who used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, are eligible to file a claim for monetary compensation before August 23 of this year.
To file a claim under the Facebook settlement, you can visit the claim website and fill out the necessary information or print a physical claim form to mail to the designated address: Facebook Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation, c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103. The required details include your name, address, email, phone number, confirmation of residence within the U.S. between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, confirmation of Facebook usage within the same period, details about your Facebook account if it was deleted during this timeframe, your Facebook username, and your preferred payment service such as PayPal, Venmo, or a prepaid Mastercard.
Completing the form should only take a few minutes. If you’re unsure about your Facebook username, you can find it on the Facebook website by navigating to “Account” and clicking on “Settings and Privacy.” From there, access “Settings” and locate “Username.” On the mobile app, open the menu and select your display name at the top of the screen. Then, choose “…” next to “Edit Profile” to view your username under “Your Profile Link.”
If you had one or more Facebook accounts that were created and deleted, and subsequently created a new account, you can claim for the entire duration during which your Facebook account was active. However, if you had multiple accounts simultaneously, you cannot make a claim for those additional accounts. Double-counting is prohibited, as stated by the claim administrator.
It is possible to file a claim on behalf of a deceased person, but certain procedures must be followed. Initially, file the claim using the deceased person’s name and provide their information in the “Your Facebook Account” section of the claim form. Next, you must request a name change for either the beneficiary or the estate of the deceased claimant. To do this, submit an email through the secure portal of the settlement administrator, including an explanation and supporting documentation such as a copy of the death certificate. The email should be sent to [email protected], using the subject line: “Name Change – Facebook User Privacy Settlement.” It should also include the claim ID from the claim confirmation and the full name of the deceased individual. Alternatively, you can send the documentation via mail to Facebook User Privacy Settlement, Attn: Name Change, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
The legitimacy of the Facebook settlement has been confirmed by Meta. According to a spokesperson from the company, securing the settlement was in the best interest of their community and shareholders. Users are being notified through their Facebook notifications to allow them to decide whether they wish to participate.
The exact amount of money each claimant will receive is uncertain, as it depends on the number of people who submit a claim. However, a portion of the settlement will likely be allocated to the lawyers involved in the case as part of their fees. The claim website states that up to 25% of the settlement amount, which equates to $181.3 million, may be awarded to the lawyers. If they receive this amount, the settlement will be reduced to $543.7 million for the Facebook users who submit a claim. Each claimant will be assigned one point for each month in which they had an “activated” Facebook account between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022. The settlement administrator will calculate the total points assigned to all claimants and divide the net settlement amount by that number. Each claimant will then receive the per point amount multiplied by the number of points assigned to them, meaning that individuals who have been Facebook users for a shorter period of time will likely receive a smaller settlement amount.
Payouts are not expected until later this year, at the earliest. There will be a final approval hearing for the settlement on September 7, during which the court will determine whether to approve the settlement, award attorneys’ fees, and cover other costs. If the settlement is approved, there may still be appeals, the resolution of which could take an unknown amount of time, as outlined on the claims website. Payments from the settlement will be distributed as soon as possible, once the court grants final approval and all appeals have been resolved.
If you wish to exercise your right to opt out of the settlement, you can do so as a Facebook user. One reason to opt out is if you want to retain the ability to file a separate lawsuit against Facebook regarding the issues and allegations raised in this case. To opt out, you must submit a request online or via mail before July 26. If you choose to send a written request, include the following information: the case name “In re: Facebook, Inc. Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation,” your full name and current address, your signature, a statement clearly indicating your intention to be excluded from the settlement, your Facebook account URL, and a statement confirming your status as a Facebook user between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022.
To object to the settlement, you must file an objection by July 26. As a Facebook user, you can present reasons to the court explaining why the settlement should not be approved. However, it is important to note that you cannot request a different solution from the court; they can only accept or reject the settlement. If the settlement is rejected, no payments will be distributed, and the lawsuit will continue. To file an objection, mail it to the Class Action Clerk at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California or deliver it in person at any location within the court. Objections must be filed or postmarked by July 26. The mailing address is: Class Action Clerk, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, 450 Golden Gate Avenue, Box 36060, San Francisco, CA 94102-3489. The objection should include the case name and number, your full name, address, telephone number, and email address, your Facebook account URL, the full name, address, telephone number, and email address of your lawyer if you have one, a statement confirming your status as a Facebook user during the relevant period and the dates of your usage, a statement indicating whether your objection applies only to yourself, a specific subset of the class, or the entire class, and a statement specifying the number of times you objected and to what extent.
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