Facebook (now Meta) has initiated the distribution of payments from its $725 million privacy settlement, marking the conclusion of a significant class-action lawsuit. This settlement addresses allegations that Facebook improperly shared user data with third parties without consent, including the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

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Key Details of the Settlement

• Settlement Amount: $725 million
• Eligible Period: May 24, 2007 – December 22, 2022
• Eligibility: U.S. Facebook users active during the eligible period
• Claim Deadline: August 25, 2023
• Payment Distribution: Begins in September 2025, over a 10-week period

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How Payments Are Calculated

The total settlement fund of $725 million is allocated after deducting attorney fees and administrative costs. The remaining funds are distributed based on “allocation points,” which correspond to the number of months a user was active on Facebook during the eligible period. Users with longer periods of activity may receive higher payouts.

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Payment Methods

Eligible users who filed a valid claim by the deadline will receive their payments through their selected method, including:

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Zelle
• Direct deposit
• Paper checks
• Prepaid cards

Notifications will be sent 3–4 days before payments are issued.

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Important Considerations

• Claim Deadline: The deadline to file a claim was August 25, 2023. Users who did not submit a claim by this date are not eligible for a payout.
• Scam Awareness: Be cautious of unsolicited emails or messages claiming to be from the settlement administrator. Official communications will come from the email address donotreply@facebookuserprivacysettlement.com. Do not provide personal information or payment details in response to suspicious messages.

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What’s the catch ?

The Facebook privacy settlement provides compensation to eligible U.S. users affected by the platform’s data-sharing practices. If you filed a valid claim by the deadline, you can expect to receive a payment through your chosen method. Stay vigilant against potential scams and ensure your contact information is up to date to receive your payout.