Facebook is paying big after the social media platform agreed to pay $725M in compensation for sharing users’ private data without permission. As many as 18 million users will soon receive funds from Meta as a result of the settlement. So, who is eligible to receive a payment, and how do you collect any funds you may be owed? Keep reading to find out more.
Facebook Agrees To Pay $725 Million Settlement
Many Facebook users are going to see funds soon from the social media giant. Meta has been in court over lawsuits alleging the platform’s parent company, Meta, had shared users’ private information and data with third parties without permission. The lawsuits claim that Meta wrongly shared the information of approximately 87 million users.
The Lawsuit against Facebook claims that Cambridge Analytica, in coordination with President Trump‘s 2016 election campaign, obtained user data in an un tort manner. Meta has denied any wrongdoing or liability. However, they agreed to pay $725 million in damages. Users who had a Facebook account in the United States between May 24, 2007, and Dec. 22, 2022, were eligible to file a claim before Aug. 25, 2023. 18 million claims were approved to be eligible to participate in the settlement payouts. So, how do you get your payout?
How Facebook Users Can Collect Settlement Funds
The first step in getting a payout from Meta for wrongly using user data was to file a claim with them prior to August 25, 2023. If you did that and your claim was verified as valid you will soon receive a portion of the $725 million payout. Facebook users will soon see funds from the settlement. The amount will be determined by the number of claims, but it is estimated to be about $30 per person.
Users will be contacted by the Facebook User Privacy Settlement Administrator. If your claim was verified you will receive an email from [email protected]. The title of the email should say “Facebook User Privacy Settlement – Settlement and Distribution Status Update”. The email will include information on how to receive your funds, including a claim ID number and confirmation that you are eligible to take part in the settlement. The distribution of funds has already started and will continue for approximately 10 weeks.
What do you think about the Facebook settlement? Let us know in the comments, and be sure to check your junk mail for any emails from the Facebook settlement team.
Cheri Gossett has a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. In her free time, she enjoys Dungeons and Dragons, video games, music and watching ‘Southern Charm.’
