What You Need to Know About the Facebook User Privacy Settlement

In July 2019, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced that Facebook had agreed to more than $700 million (avoiding the cost and potential risk of the original record-breaking $5 billion) settlement for violating user privacy.

Privacy Settlement Particulars

The main issue was Facebook's alleged mishandling of user data, specifically the Cambridge Analytica scandal. In 2014, Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, gained access to the personal information of millions of Facebook users without their consent. The FTC investigated and found that Facebook had failed to protect users' data and misled them about how their information was being used. The settlement requires Facebook to implement stronger measures to protect user privacy and obtain explicit user consent for personal data use, regular independent third-party audits, and restrict developer access to user data. ( There is obviously a bunch more to this (you do know that lawyers have by the syllable, right?! 😀 ) But that is a reasonably good 3000 ft view of the situation

Why is this important to you?

Well, it turns out that If you were a Facebook user in the United States between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, you may very well be eligible for a cash payment from the Class Action case / Settlement.

We're sure the amount of the payout will be in proportion to the number of folks who apply (and if that turns out to be 273,869,413 people, I'm thinking our portion will be an IOU for.$1.19 from the good folks at Facebook - but you never know!?)

ANYWAYS!

SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS AND OPTIONS

SUBMIT A CLAIM:

The only way to receive a cash payment from this Settlement is by submitting a Claim Form no later than August 25, 2023.
You can submit your Claim Form online or download and mail it to the Settlement Administrator.

If your claim is approved, you will give up the right to sue the Defendant in a separate lawsuit regarding this settlement.

OPT-OUT OF THE SETTLEMENT

You have until July 26, 2023, to choose to opt out of the Settlement and receive no payment. This option allows you to sue, continue to sue, or be part of another lawsuit against the Defendant related to the legal claims and factual allegations resolved by this Settlement.

OBJECT TO THE SETTLEMENT AND/OR ATTEND A HEARING

If you do not opt out of the Settlement, you have until July 26, 2023, to object to it by writing to the Court about why you dislike it. You may also ask for permission to speak about your objection at the Final Approval Hearing. You may also file a claim for a payment.

DO NOTHING:

You are automatically part of the Settlement unless you opt out of the settlement. If you do nothing, you will not get a payment. You will give up the right to sue, continue to sue, or be part of another lawsuit against Defendant related to the legal claims or factual allegations resolved by this Settlement.

For more information, please follow the link below.

https://facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/

To file a claim:

https://facebookuserprivacysettlement.com/#submit-claim