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ZDNET’s key takeaways
- Payments have started going out in the 2023 Facebook privacy suit.
- Each user who filed will get between $5 and $40.
- Your amount depends on how long you used the site.
If you filed a claim in the $725 million Facebook privacy settlement back in 2023, your payment might be on the way.
Several years ago, Facebook, its parent company Meta, and political marketing company Cambridge Analytica were criticized for potentially mishandling user data. A judge later approved a massive class action settlement over the matter, and anyone who used Facebook from 2004 to 2022 was eligible to claim a part of the funds.
Also: You can claim up to $7,500 from AT&T’s $177M data breach payouts – how to check your eligibility ASAP
The years-long process is coming to a close, though, as users are finally starting to receive funds. The settlement website was recently updated to say that the “distribution of settlement benefits has commenced” and would continue for the next 10 weeks.
The site says that if the suit administrators approve your claim, you’ll receive an email three to four days before you receive your payment. Watch for an email called “Facebook User Privacy Settlement — Settlement and Distribution Status Update” from “Facebook User Privacy Settlement Administrator” at donotreply@facebookuserprivacysettlement.com.
How much is each user getting in the settlement?
Out of the allotted $725 million, a judge has already approved several payments: $120,000 for eight lead settlement class representatives, more than $180 million in attorney fees, and almost $4 million in “other costs.” This leaves $541 million for the affected users.
Also: Is Meta secretly scanning your phone’s camera roll? Check this setting to find out
Court documents show that the smallest payout you might receive is $4.89, while the biggest is $38.36. Whether you’re on the low end of the high end depends on how frequently you used Facebook during the window in question. Every month gets you an “allocation point.” The more points you have (188 would be the maximum), the higher your payment.
Meta denied any wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement to avoid the hassle and cost of going to court.
