A recent class-action settlement against Facebook (now Meta Platforms) has resulted in payments being distributed to eligible users. The lawsuit alleged that the social media giant shared user data with various third parties, including app developers, business partners, advertisers, and data brokers, without obtaining proper consent. Facebook agreed to a $725 million settlement to resolve these claims, and individuals who filed a valid claim by the August 25, 2023, deadline are now beginning to receive their share.
To qualify for a payment, individuals must have maintained an active Facebook account at any point between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022. Claimants who successfully opted into the settlement and whose information was deemed part of the data shared with third parties should have received email notifications regarding their approval. Payments are being disbursed over a 10-week period following the final court order, issued on August 27, 2025. Recipients will typically receive an email a few days before their payment is processed. While the article's author received their payment via Venmo, other options include PayPal, direct bank transfers (ACH or Zelle), or a virtual prepaid Mastercard.
The exact amount each claimant receives is calculated based on a point system, factoring in the duration their Facebook account was active during the specified period and the total number of claims filed. The net settlement fund was divided by the number of claimants and their months of active account usage, with this value translated into points to determine individual payment amounts. The author, who has been a Facebook user since October 2006, received $38.36, which they speculate might be the maximum possible payout, although this cannot be definitively confirmed from the publicly available court documents without knowing the precise value of the point system.
This settlement serves as a powerful reminder for individuals to remain vigilant about their digital privacy and to actively participate in class-action lawsuits when eligible. By staying informed and exercising their rights, consumers can hold large corporations accountable for data misuse and potentially receive compensation. Such cases underscore the importance of safeguarding personal information in the digital age and highlight the collective power of individuals in demanding greater transparency and responsibility from technology companies.