Today is the final day for individuals who have used Facebook in the United States within the last 16 years to participate in a significant settlement opportunity offered by Meta, Facebook's parent company.
The settlement, totaling $725 million, is connected to allegations of privacy violations that have been the subject of numerous lawsuits against Facebook, as per CBS News.
Facebook Settlement: Who's Eligible?
This payment initiative is in response to Facebook users' claims that their confidential information was improperly shared with third parties, including advertisers and data brokers.
In 2018, Facebook was embroiled in a privacy scandal involving Cambridge Analytica, which led to the initiation of these legal proceedings. To create voter profiles, this consulting firm improperly obtained user data from the social media platform.
Meta has categorically refuted any wrongdoing or responsibility in relation to the settlement. The agreement, which was formalized through the establishment of a dedicated class-action website, was designed to compensate users for the aforementioned violations of privacy.
Despite Meta's denial of any malfeasance, the settlement addresses the concerns of US Facebook users between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022. Those who fall within this timeframe have the opportunity to submit an online financial claim, so long as they do so by Friday, August 25 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
Those who choose to mail their claims must guarantee that the postmark on their correspondence is dated August 25. The submission of a claim requires the submission of fundamental information including name, address, email address, and phone number.
Claimants must also indicate whether they resided in the United States between May 24, 2007 and December 22, 2022, and whether they were active Facebook users during this time. In instances where the user account was terminated within this timeframe, the account's deletion date must be provided.
In addition, claimants must provide their Facebook username and designate their preferred payment method, such as PayPal, Venmo, or a Mastercard prepaid card. Through the "Account" section of Facebook's website, you can access your username.
Users can access their username by selecting "Settings and Privacy" and then "Settings." On the mobile application, accessing the menu, clicking on the display name at the top of the screen, and selecting the "..." option next to "Edit Profile" discloses the user's username under "Your Profile Link."
A Meta representative clarified the company's position by asserting, "Because it is in the best interest of our community and shareholders, we pursued a settlement. We are informing Facebook users about this settlement so they can choose whether or not to participate."
In addition to emphasizing the need for vigilance regarding requests for personal information, the administrator of the claims settlement emphasizes that the administration will never ask for a Social Security number.
Any requests for payment in exchange for a portion of the settlement should be viewed with skepticism, as they could be attempts at fraud. The procedure is straightforward for individuals who have already filed claims but need to make modifications. Claimants can amend their information by visiting the settlement's website and selecting "Click here to edit your claim."
This requires supplying the confirmation code and claim ID received via email after the initial filing. Those who submitted their claims electronically can amend their information by sending an email to info@facebookuserprivacysettlement.com, while those who submitted their claims by mail can send the updated information to the specified address.
Although additional procedures are necessary, the settlement accommodates deceased individuals. Initially, the claim must be lodged under the deceased person's name, with their details included in the "Your Facebook Account" section of the claim form.
The claimant must then submit an official request for a name change to the beneficiary or estate. This request requires supporting documentation, such as a copy of the death certificate. Claimants can initiate the procedure by corresponding with the administrator via its secure portal, The Washington Examiner reported.
How Much Facebook Settlement Pay Can You Receive?
The amount of the settlement allocated to each user depends on the number of claimants and the involvement of attorneys in the case. Up to 25% of the settlement, or $181,3 million, is potentially available to legal representatives. If the lawyers are awarded this amount, the remaining settlement for Facebook users would be adjusted to $543.7 million.
Individual claimants are awarded points for each month during which they maintained a "activated" Facebook account within the specified time frame. The total points of all claimants are added together, and the net settlement amount is then divided by this total.
Then, each claimant receives a settlement amount per point, multiplied by the points assigned to them. Regarding the distribution schedule, it is anticipated that the final approval hearing for the settlement will occur on September 7.
During this hearing, the court will determine whether to approve the settlement and will allocate attorneys' fees and other related expenses. If the settlement is approved, potential appeals could lengthen the timeline for payments, with the resolution of these appeals dictating the distribution of funds.
The Facebook settlement process exemplifies the expanding landscape of digital privacy concerns and the available legal avenues for affected parties to pursue compensation, according to Cnet.
