In 2023, Facebook (now Meta) settled a $725 million class-action lawsuit over user privacy concerns. The settlement intended to compensate U.S. users for privacy violations, but the payouts, initially expected in early 2024, are now facing delays.
Facebook Settlement Payout Date
In 2023, a class-action lawsuit settlement was reached regarding Facebook (now Meta) and user privacy concerns. The settlement, valued at a hefty $725 million, aimed to compensate Facebook users in the United States for alleged privacy violations.
While initial estimates anticipated payouts in early 2024, the current status is more complex. Those who filed valid claims by August 25, 2023, are eligible to receive a payout. The amount each person receives will depend on the length of time they had a Facebook account.
The payout process is expected to begin in June 2024, with payments made through PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or paper checks. Claimants can check their status by visiting the Facebook settlement website and entering their claim ID and confirmation code.
Facebook Settlement Payout Timeline
The Facebook (now Meta) privacy settlement, valued at $725 million, aimed to compensate US users for privacy violations. The important dates in this ongoing situation and the current status of payouts are:
- May 24, 2007 – December 22, 2022: This is the timeframe during which Facebook users in the US must have been active to be considered part of the settlement class. (Note: The deadline to submit a claim has already passed in August 2023.)
- August 27, 2022: A temporary settlement agreement was reached between Facebook and the plaintiffs.
- December 23, 2022: Facebook formally agreed to the $725 million payout.
- March 2023 (Late): A federal judge granted tentative approval of the settlement.
- September 7, 2023: Objections from class members regarding the settlement terms were filed.
- October 10, 2023: The court granted final approval of the settlement, but noted any appeals would delay payouts.
Payout Date (Uncertain):
- Original Estimates (Assuming No Appeals): February or March 2024.
- Current Status: Payouts are on hold due to appeals from some class members.
Reason for Delay:
The appeals process is the primary reason for the delayed payouts. The settlement cannot be distributed until all appeals are resolved.
- The timeline for payouts is highly uncertain due to the appeals.
- Some sources predict payouts could be delayed until late 2025 depending on the extent of the appeals process.
Facebook Settlement Payout Eligibility Criteria
The Facebook (now Meta) privacy settlement payout date remains uncertain due to ongoing appeals. However, to clarify the eligibility criteria for those wondering if they might still receive a payment:
- You were a Facebook user in the United States.
- You used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022.
- If you meet the eligibility criteria above and submitted a claim before the deadline, your claim will be considered for a payout once the appeals are resolved.
- If you did not use Facebook during the specified timeframe or did not submit a claim, you are not eligible for a payout.
- The appeals process could significantly delay payouts, potentially pushing them back to late 2025.
Facebook Settlement Payout Amount
The Facebook (now Meta) privacy settlement, valued at a total of $725 million, aimed to compensate US users for privacy violations. While this initial figure seems substantial, the final payout amount you might receive depends on several factors:
- Total Settlement Amount: The total settlement amount is fixed at $725 million.
Individual Payout Factors:
While the total settlement amount is set, the individual payout for each eligible user will vary depending on two key factors:
- Number of Valid Claims: The final payout amount per user is directly impacted by the total number of valid claims submitted and approved. With more claims, the individual payout amount gets divided amongst a larger pool.
- Facebook Usage During Eligibility Period: The settlement considers the length of your Facebook activity within the defined eligibility period (May 24, 2007, to December 22, 2022).
- Users with longer Facebook usage history during this period might receive slightly higher payouts compared to those with shorter usage times.
Estimated Payout Range:
Based on initial reports and the high number of claims filed (over 17 million), the average payout per user was estimated to be around $30.
However, this is just an estimate, and the actual payout could be slightly higher or lower depending on the final number of approved claims.
- The deadline to submit a claim has already passed (August 2023). You cannot submit a claim now, even if you were a Facebook user during the eligibility period.
- Administrative costs associated with managing the settlement will be deducted from the total settlement amount before distributing funds to eligible users.
Current Status (June 2024):
The payout date remains uncertain due to ongoing appeals from some class members. This could potentially impact the final number of valid claims and ultimately affect the individual payout amount.
How to stay updated on the status of Facebook Settlement Payout?
Since the Facebook settlement payout date remains uncertain, here are a few ways to stay updated on the status:
Official Source:
- Facebook User Privacy Settlement Website: This is the most reliable source for official updates. Bookmark the website (https://facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/) and check it periodically for announcements regarding the appeals process and the distribution schedule. They typically update the information on the website itself.
News and Legal Resources:
- News Websites: Keep an eye on reputable news websites like Forbes, Kiplinger, or Reuters. These websites often cover legal settlements and might publish updates when the appeals are resolved or the payout date is confirmed.
- Legal News Websites: Legal news websites might also cover updates on the settlement, especially if there are developments in the appeals process.