In 2021, Facebook was hit with a class action lawsuit alleging that the company illegally tracked and collected data on users even after they logged off the platform. The lawsuit claimed that Facebook violated federal and state privacy and wiretapping laws by using plug-ins and cookies to track users’ browsing history and activity on external websites without their consent.
In early 2022, Facebook agreed to pay $90 million to settle the lawsuit. This settlement means that any U.S. Facebook user between January 1, 2010 and September 26, 2022 who submitted a valid claim form could receive a portion of the payout. Here is what you need to know about eligibility, filing a claim, deadlines, and receiving your potential payment in the Facebook class action settlement.
Who is eligible to file a claim?
The settlement class includes all Facebook users located in the United States who between January 1, 2010 and September 26, 2022 had an account with Facebook, visited non-Facebook websites that included Facebook Pixel, Login, Share and Like buttons, and had data about their internet activity shared with Facebook.
You must have had a Facebook account during this time period and visited sites that had Facebook services embedded in them in order to be eligible. Estimates indicate there could be up to 7.3 million account holders eligible for payouts.
How do I file a claim?
To file a claim for a payout in the settlement, you need to submit a valid Claim Form either electronically through the settlement website or by mail postmarked by November 23, 2022.
The claim website is currently active at [settlement website URL]. On this website, you will need to provide your full name, current U.S. mailing address, email address associated with your Facebook account between January 1, 2010 and September 26, 2022, and the email address you want your payment notification to go to.
You can also download a paper Claim Form from the website to print out and mail in. Claim Forms must be postmarked by November 23, 2022 and mailed to:
Facebook Internet Tracking Litigation
c/o Kroll Settlement Administration
P.O. Box 225391
New York, NY 10150-5391
Once you submit your Claim Form either electronically or by mail, your claim will be reviewed for eligibility and completeness. The settlement administrator may reach out for additional information if needed.
What is the deadline to file a claim?
The deadline to file a claim online or postmark a mailed Claim Form is November 23, 2022. This deadline applies to all eligible Facebook users who want to receive a portion of the settlement fund.
Claims postmarked or submitted online after November 23, 2022 will not be accepted, so be sure to get your Claim Form in before this cut-off date.
How much money will I get from the settlement?
The $90 million settlement fund will be distributed equally among all eligible users who submit valid claims, after subtracting court-approved attorney fees and expenses, taxes, and settlement administration costs.
Payment amounts to individual class members will depend on how many valid claims are ultimately submitted. Each claimant could receive anywhere between $200-$400, if not more, depending on the total number of approved claims.
It’s difficult to provide an exact payout amount per person until the claims deadline passes. The settlement website will periodically provide estimated claim values based on the number of participants to date, so check for updates.
When will I receive my payment?
Settlement payments will not be distributed until after the claims deadline passes and all submitted claims have been reviewed and approved by the settlement administrator. This process could take several months.
Once claim processing is complete, payments will be mailed as checks or electronically transferred to the payment information provided on your Claim Form. This is anticipated to occur within 6 months after the November 23, 2022 claims deadline.
The settlement website will provide updates on the payment timing and process when available. You can also call the Settlement Administrator at [phone number] with any questions on payment status.
Be sure to keep your payment and contact information up to date with the Administrator, so any settlement checks can reach you. Payments that are undeliverable or remain uncashed 120 days after mailing may be redistributed to other class members.
Do I need proof of Facebook activity?
You do not need to provide documentation of your Facebook activity or internet browsing history on sites with Facebook services in order to submit a claim. The settlement administrator will verify basic Facebook account information as part of the claims process.
Having proof of your Facebook usage between 2010-2022 may help if any issues come up with verifying your account information. But formal documentation is not required upfront when filing your claim.
What happens if I do nothing?
If you take no action, you will remain part of the settlement class but will not receive a payment. In order to receive a portion of the settlement, you must submit a valid Claim Form by the deadline of November 23, 2022.
Remaining part of the class also means you give up the right to sue Facebook separately for the same legal issues in this case. If you do not want to be legally bound by the settlement, you must exclude yourself by submitting an Opt-Out Form postmarked by November 23, 2022.
Can I sue Facebook for the same issue on my own?
No. Unless you formally exclude yourself from the class by the opt-out deadline, you give up the right to separately sue Facebook for the issues covered by this settlement. This includes privacy and wiretapping claims related to Facebook’s tracking of logged-out user data between 2010-2022.
You must request exclusion from the class to retain your right to individually sue Facebook for violations alleged in this case. If you do opt-out, you will not receive any settlement payment.
What if I disagree with the settlement terms?
If you disagree with the settlement terms or requested attorneys fees and expenses, you may object by submitting a written statement to the Settlement Administrator by mail postmarked by November 23, 2022. Detailed instructions for submitting objections are provided on the settlement website’s Frequently Asked Questions page.
Objections may also be filed electronically through the website or presented at the Final Approval Hearing in January 2023. The Court will consider all properly submitted objections before making a decision on approving the settlement.
Who are the attorneys representing the class?
The Court has appointed attorneys from the law firms Keller Rohrback L.L.P. and Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP to represent the class as Class Counsel. You will not be charged directly for these lawyers; their fees will be paid out of the settlement fund, subject to approval by the Court.
If you want to be represented by your own lawyer in connection with the settlement, you may hire one at your own expense.
Where can I get more information on the settlement?
For more details on eligibility, filing a claim, exclusion rights, payment timelines, and more, visit the Facebook class action settlement website [settlement website URL].
The website has a detailed FAQ section as well as Claim Forms, Opt-Out Forms, and other case documents available for download. You can also call the Settlement Administrator at [phone number] with any other questions.
Conclusion
This major Facebook class action settlement provides compensation to millions of users whose data was allegedly tracked and collected without consent between 2010 and 2022. To receive your share of the $90 million fund, make sure to file a claim by November 23, 2022. Payouts to eligible class members who submit approved claims are anticipated within 6 months. Consult the settlement website and call the Settlement Administrator with any other questions on how to claim your potential settlement payment.