In 2024, many Facebook users are eagerly awaiting their settlement payout from a significant class-action lawsuit against the social media giant. This settlement, amounting to $725 million, addresses allegations of privacy violations that have affected millions.
Understanding the specifics of the “Facebook settlement payout date 2024” is crucial for eligible users who have been patiently waiting for their compensation.
This article delves into the background of the lawsuit, eligibility criteria, payout process, and current status to help you stay informed and prepared for what lies ahead.
The AP reports that the revelation of Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica scandal is the cause of the lawsuit.
Cambridge Analytica hired a Facebook app developer to get the personal data of 87 million Facebook users, as published simultaneously in April 2018 by the New York Times, the Observer of London, and The Guardian.
The information was transformed into comprehensive voter profiles that were utilized by the 2016 presidential campaign of Donald Trump to reach out to American voters.
During his appearance before several congressional panels following the disclosures, Mark Zuckerberg sought damage management.
Facebook was deactivated by a large number of users. The image of Facebook as a reliable steward of users’ private messages and data took a major hit.
Background
According to CNN, a Facebook user from Maryland initiated a potential class action lawsuit on March 21, 2018, on behalf of other impacted Facebook users. In the end, seven such claims were consolidated into one class action including the original plaintiff.
As reported by the AP, a temporary settlement deal was reached between the parties on August 27, 2022, following years of litigation. This came only weeks before the time for Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and COO Sheryl Sandberg to be deposed for legal proceedings.
On December 23, 2022, Facebook officially agreed to pay up to $725 million, and by the end of March 2023, a federal court had given his preliminary permission.
In the days leading up to the final hearing before Chhabria on September 7, Reuters reported on July 20 that an increasing number of class members were formally opposing the tentative arrangement.
There were dozens of objections to the lawsuit, and two Facebook users were among them. They argued that the class members’ payout was inadequate compared to the plaintiffs’ attorneys’ excessively expensive legal fees, which might reach $181 million.
According to a court document made on July 11, the plaintiffs’ counsel stated that the number of objections was a “tiny percentage” compared to the estimated 250 million Facebook users in the United States.
The $725 million settlement was finally approved by Chhabria on October 10th. At the time, the Hill reported that the trial court had given the impacted parties 30 days from the date of the judge’s order—November 9—to appeal the decision.
After filing appeals, some objectors decided to drop their cases. This brings us up to the present day, June 2024, when the two surviving plaintiffs are still battling their case in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Eligibility Criteria
The payment date for the Facebook (now Meta) privacy settlement is still up in the air because of the continuing appeals process. Those who are uncertain about their potential payment status may find the following information helpful:
- When you were a US resident, you used Facebook.
- Your time on Facebook was from May 24, 2007, all the way up to December 22, 2022.
- We will examine your claim for reimbursement once the appeals are completed if you match the qualifying conditions above and submit it before the deadline.
- You will not get paid if you weren’t on Facebook within the given term or if you did not file a claim.
- Payments may not be made until late 2025 if the appeals procedure takes a long time.
Payout Process and Timeline
The $725 million privacy settlement from Facebook (now Meta) aims to compensate US users for privacy violations. Key dates and the current status of payouts are as follows:
- May 24, 2007 – December 22, 2022: US Facebook users active during this period are part of the settlement class. (The claim submission deadline was August 2023.)
- August 27, 2022: A temporary settlement agreement was reached.
- December 23, 2022: Facebook formally agreed to the $725 million payout.
- Late March 2023: A federal judge tentatively approved the settlement.
- September 7, 2023: Class members filed objections to the settlement terms.
- October 10, 2023: The court granted final approval of the settlement, but noted that any appeals would delay payouts.
Payout Date (Uncertain):
Original Estimates: Payouts were expected by February or March 2024, assuming no appeals.
Current Status: Payouts are on hold due to ongoing appeals by some class members. The timeline for payouts is uncertain and could extend to late 2025 depending on the appeals process. The appeals are the primary reason for the delay, as the settlement cannot be distributed until all appeals are resolved.
Factors Influencing Payout Amount
To identify the factors influencing the payout amount in the Facebook settlement, consider the following key points:
Total Settlement Amount: The settlement pool is fixed at $725 million. This amount will be distributed among all valid claimants, but administrative and legal fees will be deducted first, reducing the total amount available for distribution.
Number of Valid Claims: The more people who file valid claims, the smaller the individual payout will be. Each claimant’s share will be a fraction of the remaining settlement fund after costs have been deducted.
Duration of Facebook Usage: Payout amounts might vary based on how long a claimant was a Facebook user during the relevant period (May 24, 2007, to December 22, 2022).
Longer usage periods could potentially lead to higher individual payouts as they may indicate greater exposure to the alleged privacy violations.
Administrative Costs: The costs of processing the settlement, including notifying potential claimants, handling claims, and distributing payments, will be taken from the settlement pool before any payouts are made. These costs can significantly reduce the amount available for distribution to claimants.
Legal Fees: Attorneys’ fees and other legal expenses incurred during the class-action lawsuit will also be deducted from the settlement pool. These fees are typically a significant portion of the total settlement, further reducing the amount available for claimants.
Facebook Settlement Check:
Payout Date, Amount, Eligibility & Appeal Rejection💰 Claimants of Facebook’s $725 million settlement are going to get a payout from Zelle, prepaid Mastercard, Venmo, PayPal, or physical check#technology #privacyhttps://t.co/eFjriqWN0g pic.twitter.com/xagQMTRwVR
— Marsha Collier (@MarshaCollier) November 15, 2023
Current Status
If you would want to see where the claim stands right now, you may find a detailed guide to it below.
- You may monitor the progress of your payment by entering the claim ID that was sent to the cellphone number or email address you provided when you applied.
- To see where you stand with the Facebook settlement, go to the main portal and enter your Claim ID.
- Please double-check your internet connection before attempting to access the official website.
- Facebook will only revise your payment if they approve your form. A rejection message will be displayed on the screen if this is not the case.
How to Stay Updated
Certified Repository:
To get official updates, visit the Facebook User Privacy Settlement website. To stay updated on the appeals process and distribution timetable, bookmark this page (https://facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/) and check back often. It is common practice for them to make changes directly to the website.
Legislation and Current Events:
News Websites: Maintain a watch on trustworthy news websites like Reuters, Forbes, or Kiplinger. If the appeals are successful or the payout date is confirmed, these websites may provide information regarding the settlement.
Updates on the settlement, particularly about developments in the appeals process, may also be covered by legal news websites.
FAQs
What was the Facebook privacy lawsuit about?
The Facebook privacy lawsuit alleged that Facebook mishandled user data, potentially sharing it with third parties without proper user consent. This was particularly relevant to the Cambridge Analytica scandal where millions of users’ data were reportedly accessed without their knowledge.
Is this settlement related to any other social media platforms?
This settlement is specific to Facebook (now Meta) and doesn’t cover other social media platforms. Each platform would need to be addressed in separate lawsuits or settlements.