Facebook META Settlement: What You Need To Know & How to Claim Your Share
Whenever you use your Facebook account, most people generally assume their personal information is safe.
But with the slew of lawsuits against the tech giant over the years, that assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. Earlier this month, Meta, Facebook’s parent company, reached a whopping $725 million settlement related to a series of privacy violations affecting millions of users.
If you’re a Facebook user in the U.S., you might be eligible for a piece of the pie. Our post will walk you through the settlement’s details, who’s eligible, and how to claim your cash.
Ready to claim your share? Let’s begin!
What’s The Recent Facebook Settlement About?
Since 2018, Facebook has been in hot water due to a class action lawsuit brought against Meta.
Plaintiffs allege that the tech giant allowed Cambridge Analytica, a British political consulting firm, to access the private information of 87 million users in the U.S. The bankrupt firm used this data to target voters during the previous election.
Even though Facebook is at fault for mishandling its users’ data, they blame Cambridge Analytica for its actions and deny any liability for what happened. However, they’ve agreed to a $725 million settlement to attempt to resolve the dispute and compensate users.
Who Is Eligible To Receive Settlement Money?
If you’re a U.S. resident who has used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, you can receive a share of the settlement. This agreement covers between 250 and 280 million users who used the platform during that time.
According to some of the plaintiffs’ lawyers, this is one of the recent most significant data privacy class action lawsuit payouts. If you qualify, make sure to apply as soon as you can!
How Much Can Users Receive?
The amount you’ll receive depends on how many people submit their claims and how long you’ve used the platform.
But according to the class action website, class action members won’t receive the entire settlement. Instead, a portion will be first given out to the legal representatives of the case.
After they get their share, the remaining amount will be divided among class action members who filed a claim. You’ll receive an additional amount each month you have an open Facebook account during the class period.
How To Sign Up For The Settlement
Signing up for Facebook’s settlement only takes a few minutes, and you can submit your claim in two ways.
If you submit it online, visit the official settlement website to complete the form. You need to submit basic information, including:
- Your name
- Email address
- The time period you were a Facebook user
- If you reside in the U.S. at any point during the class action
- Your Facebook account information
Another way to file a claim is by mail. Simply download the form, fill out the information, and send it to the address provided.
Once your claim is processed and approved, you’ll receive your share through Paypal, Zelle, Venmo, direct deposit, or a Prepaid Mastercard.
The final deadline to submit your claim is August 23, 2023, so send one in as early as possible to avoid missing out!
The Bottom Line
Social media companies are responsible for respecting our privacy. When they don’t, their negligence and mismanagement could put millions of users’ personal data at risk.
Hopefully, this can serve as a reminder for Facebook to step up its security measures and put its users before their users’ needs. If you qualify for compensation, visit the settlement’s site and fill out your claim today!
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