Claim your share of $725M settlement: Were you affected by Facebook’s privacy violations?
Facebook must pay compensation of $725 million to its users. Here’s how to find out if you’re eligible for a payment and how to claim it.
In December last year, Meta, the parent company of Facebook, agreed to settle the class action lawsuit filed in the wake of the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal. However, the company denied any liability or wrongdoing where privacy violations are concerned.
Last month, a federal judge in California gave preliminary approval to a $725 million settlement. The money is earmarked for users who claim the social media platform allowed third parties access to their data without their consent.
Although the final approval of the agreement will not occur for several months, users can already begin claiming money they feel they are owed. We explain who is eligible and how to claim the money.
Facebook will pay compensation of $725 million dollars to users: who will receive a payment and how to claim it
People who had an active Facebook account in the United States between May 24, 2007 and December 2022 have until August 25 to file a claim. At the moment, the amount that corresponds to each user is unknown.
Individual settlement payments have not yet been established because the payments depend on how many users file claims and how long each user maintained a Facebook account. The final approval hearing is scheduled for September 7.
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Facebook users can file a claim by visiting facebookuserprivacysettlement.com. The claimant must enter their name, address, email address, as well as confirm that they lived in the United States and were active on Facebook between the above dates (May 2007 and December 2022).
Privacy violations by Facebook
The privacy class action lawsuit stemmed from reports that Cambridge Analytica, a data firm that worked with Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, obtained personal information from millions of Facebook users to target voters.
Although Meta did not admit wrongdoing, a spokesperson said at the time that they sought an agreement because it is in the best interest of the community and shareholders.