Facebook, the social media giant owned by Meta, has agreed to pay $725 million to settle a privacy lawsuit that affected millions of its users in the United States. The lawsuit claimed that Facebook shared the personal information of its users with third-party companies, such as Cambridge Analytica, without their permission, violating the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). This is the largest privacy settlement in US history, and you may be eligible to receive a cash payment of up to $400 if you are a Facebook user who lived in Illinois for at least six months between 2007 and 2022. In this article, we will explain what the Facebook Settlement is, who is eligible to claim it, how to check the status of your claim, and when to expect your payment.

What is the Facebook Settlement?

The Facebook Settlement stems from a class action lawsuit that was filed in 2018, after it was revealed that Facebook had allowed Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, to access the data of 87 million users without their knowledge or consent. The data included names, email addresses, phone numbers, locations, likes, friends, and biometric identifiers, such as facial scans. According to the case, Facebook broke the Biometric Information Protection Act (BIPA), which mandates that businesses get users’ written agreement before collecting, storing, or utilizing their biometric data (such as fingerprints or faceprints).

Facebook was also charged in the case with misleading its users about the usage and sharing of their data, as well as failing to preserve the security and privacy of that data. In the event that Facebook had lost the case, the lawsuit’s requested damages of up to $5,000 per user might have totaled more than $35 billion.
However, in February 2020, Facebook agreed to settle the lawsuit for $550 million, which was later increased to $650 million, and then to $725 million, after some objections and appeals. The settlement was finally approved by a federal judge in October 2021, and became the largest privacy settlement in US history.

Who is eligible to claim the Facebook Settlement?

According to the settlement website https://www.facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/, you are eligible to claim the Facebook Settlement if you meet the following criteria:

• You are a Facebook user who lived in Illinois for at least 183 days (six months) between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022.

• You had a Facebook account during that time and your account settings allowed Facebook to create and store a face template of you.

• You did not opt out of the settlement by November 23, 2020.

If you are eligible, you can receive a cash payment of up to $400, depending on the number of valid claims filed. The exact amount will be determined after all the claims are processed and the fees and expenses are deducted. The settlement website estimates that the payments will range from $200 to $400 per claimant.

How to claim the Facebook Settlement?

To claim the Facebook Settlement, you need to visit the settlement website https://www.facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/ and fill out an online claim form by August 25, 2021. Your name, phone number, email address, and Facebook ID or login are required. Additionally, you must attest to your agreement to the settlement’s conditions and your eligibility. A confirmation email will be sent to you following the submission of your claim. Additionally, you have the option to submit a claim via mail by printing and downloading a claim form from the website, then mailing it to the specified location.

To check the status of your claim, you can visit the settlement website https://www.facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/ and enter your claim number and email address. You can also call the toll-free number or send an email to the settlement administrator. You will be notified by email or mail if your claim is approved or rejected. If your claim is rejected, you have 10 days to appeal the decision by sending a written request to the settlement administrator. You need to explain why you think your claim should be accepted and provide any supporting documents or evidence.

When will you receive your payment?

The payment will be made after all the claims are processed and all the appeals are resolved. The settlement website https://www.facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/ states that this may take several months or longer, depending on the number and complexity of the claims and appeals. The payment will be made by check or electronic payment, depending on your preference. By contacting the settlement administrator or visiting the settlement website at https://www.facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/, you can amend your payment details. When your payment is prepared, a notification will be sent to you via mail or email. Your cheque will expire if it is not cashed or deposited within 180 days after the date printed on it. If you have any issues with your payment, such as a lost, stolen, or damaged check, you need to contact the settlement administrator as soon as possible.

Conclusion

The Facebook Settlement is a historic privacy settlement that compensates millions of Facebook users in Illinois who had their data shared with third parties without their consent. If you are eligible, you can claim up to $400 by filing a claim on the settlement website https://www.facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/ by August 25, 2021.