If you’re a U.S. resident who used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, you have the opportunity to claim a portion of a substantial $725 million settlement. This settlement is the result of numerous lawsuits against Facebook, now known as Meta, brought forth by users who alleged that the company mishandled their personal information by sharing it with third-party entities such as advertisers and data brokers. This litigation began in 2018 when Facebook got involved in a privacy scandal with Cambridge Analytica, a company that harvested user data from the platform for voter profiling purposes.
How do you partake in this settlement?
To partake in this settlement, you must act swiftly. The filing deadline is Friday, August 25 at 11:59 p.m. PT of this year. If you choose to submit your claim via traditional mail, it’s crucial to ensure that your letter is postmarked by August 25.
Claiming your share of the settlement is a straightforward process. You have two options:
- An online submission
- A physical mail-in submission.
For the online route, simply visit the designated claim website and complete the claim form. If you prefer the mail-in option, print out the claim form and send it to the following address: Facebook Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation, c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Information Required
The claim form will request basic information to verify your eligibility. You’ll need to provide:
- Your full name
- Current mailing address
- Valid email address
- Phone number
- Confirmation of your U.S. residency and Facebook usage between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022
- Your Facebook username
- Preferred payment service for receiving your settlement, options include PayPal, Venmo, or a prepaid Mastercard.
Completing the Form – How long does it take?
The process of filling out the claim form is designed to be swift, typically taking just a few minutes of your time.
Locating Your Facebook Username
To locate your Facebook username, visit Facebook’s website, and navigate to “Account” and then “Settings and Privacy.” Within the “Settings” section, you should find “Username.” If you’re using the mobile app, go to the menu, click on your display name at the top of the screen, and then select the “…” option next to “Edit Profile.” Your username will be listed under “Your Profile Link.”
Updating Your Claim if your information changed
If your information changes after initially filing your claim, you have the opportunity to update it. Visit the settlement website and click on the “Filed a claim? Click here to edit your claim” link located at the top of the page. You’ll need to provide your confirmation code and claim ID, which are sent to you in a confirmation email upon your initial claim submission. If you initially submitted your claim electronically, you can make updates by emailing info@facebookuserprivacysettlement.com. For mail-in claims, send your updated information, including your name and contact details, to Facebook Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation, c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Can you claim for multiple Facebook accounts?
If you’ve created and deleted multiple Facebook accounts during the specified timeframe, you can still claim for the entire duration that each of your accounts was activated. However, it’s important to note that simultaneous multiple accounts cannot be claimed, avoiding any potential for double-counting.
Can you File for a Deceased Person?
You can also file a claim on behalf of a deceased individual, but this involves a few additional steps. Initially, file the claim under the name of the deceased individual and provide the necessary details in the “Your Facebook Account” section of the claim form. Subsequently, you’ll need to request a name change to the beneficiary or estate of the claimant. To do this, you must furnish documentation that supports the need for the name change, such as a copy of the death certificate. Send an email to the administrator via its secure portal at administrative@angeiongroup.com. Use the subject line: “Name Change – Facebook User Privacy Settlement” and include the claim ID from the claim confirmation, along with the full name of the deceased person. You may also need to register with your email and password on the secure portal. Alternatively, you can mail the necessary documentation to Facebook User Privacy Settlement, Attn: Name Change, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103.
Is This Legit?
The legitimacy of this settlement is affirmed by Meta, the parent company of Facebook. They assert that pursuing this settlement serves the best interests of both their user community and shareholders. Notifications regarding this settlement are being disseminated through Facebook notifications, allowing users to decide whether they wish to participate.
Determining the Amount You’ll Receive – How much are you getting?
The exact amount you will receive from the settlement is not immediately clear. The distribution per user depends on the number of claimants who participate. It’s important to note that lawyers involved in the case may receive a portion of the settlement as part of their fees, which could amount to up to 25% of the total settlement, approximately $181.3 million. If this full amount is allocated to the lawyers, the available settlement pool for Facebook users would be reduced to $543.7 million. Each claimant will be awarded one point for each month they had an “activated” Facebook account within the specified period. The settlement administrator will calculate the total points assigned to all claimants and then divide the net settlement amount by this number. Each claimant will receive an amount per point, multiplied by the number of points assigned. Consequently, individuals who were Facebook users for shorter durations during the specified period may receive a lower settlement amount.
Expected Timeline for Receiving Payment
It’s important to manage your expectations regarding the timeline for receiving your settlement payment. There is a final approval hearing scheduled for September 7, during which the court will determine whether to approve the settlement, as well as award attorneys’ fees and other associated costs. Should the settlement receive approval, there is still the possibility of appeals, which may extend the resolution timeline. The claims website emphasizes that settlement payments will only be distributed once the court grants final approval and any appeals are resolved.
Opting out of the settlement and its implications
The deadline for opting out of the settlement has already passed, which means that if you didn’t opt out by July 26, you forfeited your right to sue Facebook separately regarding the issues raised in this case. Opting out was a way to retain your ability to pursue individual legal action against the company.
Can you object to the settlement?
Similarly, the deadline for objecting to the settlement also elapsed on July 26. Users had the opportunity to present reasons to the court as to why the settlement should not be approved. However, it’s important to understand that users couldn’t request an alternative remedy through this process. The court’s options were limited to either approving or rejecting the settlement. If the settlement were to be rejected, no payments would be issued, and the lawsuit would continue.
What if you don’t do anything? What are the consequences
If you choose to take no action, neither filing a claim nor opting out, you relinquish your right to initiate or participate in any separate lawsuit, ongoing legal action, or any other litigation against Facebook related to the legal issues at hand. Furthermore, you won’t be eligible to receive any portion of the settlement funds allocated to eligible claimants, as stated on the settlement website.
Who are those excluded from claiming this settlement?
It’s essential to be aware of certain exclusions from this settlement:
- Meta Employees and Affiliates: Individuals working for Meta, its affiliated companies, or subsidiaries are not eligible to participate in the settlement.
- Attorneys for the Plaintiff and Their Employees: Attorneys representing the plaintiffs and their employees are also excluded from participating in the settlement.
- Special Masters, Mediators, and Judges: Individuals serving as special masters, mediators, or judges in this case are not permitted to partake in the settlement.
- Users Outside the U.S.: The settlement only covers U.S. residents who used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022. Users outside the United States are not eligible.
- Non-Facebook Users During the Specified Period: If you were not a Facebook user at any time within the period from May 24, 2007, to December 22, 2022, you are not covered by this settlement.
In conclusion, if you meet the eligibility criteria and wish to claim your portion of the $725 million settlement in the Facebook privacy violation case, it’s crucial to act promptly by filling out the claim form before the August 25 deadline. Ensure that you provide accurate and complete information on the claim form to facilitate the claims process. Be mindful of the settlement’s legal implications, such as the potential reduction in individual payouts due to attorney fees, and be patient regarding the timeline for payment distribution, which is contingent on court approvals and potential appeals. If you have any specific questions or need assistance with your claim, consider reaching out to the settlement administrator through the provided contact information.
