Facebook has begun issuing payments to users as part of the 725 million dollar privacy settlement, as reported by Newsweek. The settlement comes after class-action lawsuits linked to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which revealed that the company had shared personal data of millions of users with the British political consulting firm prior to the 2016 US presidential election.
Reports from The Guardian confirm that Facebook improperly exposed information of more than 50 million users to Cambridge Analytica, a now-closed firm that collaborated with Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. The issue first came to public attention in 2018. The current 725 million dollar settlement is the outcome of legal cases filed on behalf of US users affected by the data breach.
What is the payout amount in the Facebook settlement?
According to Newsweek, the settlement fund of 725 million dollars is being distributed among millions of US Facebook users who were active on the platform over the last 15 years. CBS News notes that the final payout depends on two factors: the number of claims submitted and the length of time each claimant maintained a Facebook account during this 15-year period.
Who qualifies for the settlement payout?
The settlement applies mainly to Facebook users in the United States who have had an account within the past 15 years. To be eligible for payment, users were required to file a claim through the official settlement website by August 25, 2023. Those whose claims were verified are now receiving their payments.
How much can users expect to receive?
CBS News reports that the average payment per user is 29.43 dollars, while the highest payout recorded so far is 38.36 dollars. Settlement notification emails include the claimant’s ID number and confirmation that the claim has been approved.