Facebook commences disbursement of $725 million settlement: see if you're eligible for a payment
Facebook Data Privacy Settlement Moves Forward
After years of litigation and numerous appeals, the $725 million Facebook data privacy settlement connected to the Cambridge Analytica scandal is now moving forward to the payment distribution stage.
The settlement, which was initially agreed upon on August 27, 2022, has faced multiple challenges but ultimately received final approval from U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria on October 10, 2023. Multiple objectors filed appeals, but ultimately dismissed their lawsuits by August 27, 2023.
The lawsuit stemmed from the discovery of Facebook's Cambridge Analytica debacle in 2018, where a data firm gained access to 87 million Facebook users' personal data. Facebook formally agreed to a $725 million payout on Dec. 23, 2022.
Anyone who was a U.S. Facebook user between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, is eligible for a settlement payout. Claimants do not need to prove that their data was obtained by a third party. The claims site explains that payments are already going out and the process will take about 10 weeks.
Claimants should receive an email about three or four days before their payment is issued. According to The Hill, class members on average will receive roughly $30 each. The Court ordered Facebook to begin distributing payments on August 27, 2023.
However, it's important to note that persons entitled to receive a Facebook compensation payment are those who can prove a violation of the GDPR, have suffered a material or immaterial damage, and can establish a causal link between the damage and the violation; these conditions must be cumulatively fulfilled according to EU court rulings and German Federal Court decisions. This means that not all eligible U.S. Facebook users may receive a payout.
The settlement payouts could potentially affect nearly 9% of all U.S. Facebook users, with an estimated 28 million claimants as of 2023. The original plaintiff's case was eventually merged with seven similar lawsuits into a single class action.
In late March 2023, a federal judge issued a tentative approval for the Facebook data privacy settlement. Facebook users who were active on the platform between 2007 and 2022 were eligible to submit claims until August 25, 2023.
This settlement marks a significant step in holding Facebook accountable for its role in the Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal. The company has faced numerous criticisms and investigations over the years regarding its handling of user data and privacy concerns.
As the settlement payouts begin, affected parties are encouraged to check their emails and the claims site for updates on their potential compensation. It's a small step towards addressing the harm caused by the data breach, but it's a step forward nonetheless.
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