Time’s Running Out: How to Get Your Share of Facebook’s $725M Privacy Settlement

Meta probably owes you money.

Anyone who used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and Dec. 22, 2022 (which is a majority of the world’s population) is a candidate for free funds.

After years of fighting a class-action suit that accused Facebook, and later its parent company, of sharing user data with third parties, Meta agreed in December to settle the case for $725 million. A judge tentatively approved that deal in April, when we learned more details on how to cash in. Some class members have filed objections, Reuters reports(Opens in a new window), but if you want a piece of whatever Meta ends up having to pay, you need to make that known.

Users must submit an eligible claim(Opens in a new window) to collect any funds—and it’s unclear how much the payout will be, but estimated around $35 per person. Request your share of it online by 11:59 p.m. PT on Friday, Aug. 25, 2023. Forms may also be requested by phone and/or printed and mailed to the settlement administrator.

Eligibility is limited(Opens in a new window). You must, for instance, have lived in the US between May 24, 2007, and Dec. 22, 2022. (As a UK resident, I can’t cash in.) Those who deleted their Facebook account since the end of 2022 but want some cash need to provide the date range they were a Facebook user.

Each settlement class member may file only one claim. Funds will be distributed via your choice of a prepaid Mastercard, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or direct deposit. A final approval hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7 to consider whether to even approve the settlement—in which case there may be appeals that could delay the payment schedule.

The window to request to opt-out and retain your right to separately sue Meta about this case closed on July 26. Do nothing, and you surrender your right to start a lawsuit, continue a lawsuit, or join any other lawsuit against Meta and will not receive a payment from this settlement.

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