The highly anticipated Facebook privacy settlement is part of a $725 million class-action lawsuit against Meta, the parent company of Facebook. The lawsuit was initiated after Facebook’s mishandling of user data, particularly during the Cambridge Analytica scandal. This led to widespread concern over data privacy, and eventually, millions of users filed claims. However, despite the significant sum of money allocated for the settlement, there are still delays in the payout process.

Facebook Privacy Settlement Payment Date

The final approval for the $725 million settlement was given on October 10, 2023. However, as of now, payment distributions have been delayed due to ongoing appeals. Two separate appeals were filed challenging the settlement, and these legal proceedings must be resolved before payments can begin.

According to the latest updates, payouts are unlikely to be distributed until at least mid-2025. While initial predictions suggested disbursements in 2024, the unresolved legal challenges pushed back the timeline significantly. As a result, affected users who filed claims may not receive compensation until 2025, assuming no further delays occur after the appeal hearing in the first half of that year.

Amount of Payout

The estimated average payout for valid claimants is around $30 to $35, depending on the length of time each user had an active Facebook account between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022. Users who maintained accounts for longer periods may receive slightly higher payments than more recent users. However, the exact amount will be finalized only after the legal appeals are settled and all administrative expenses are deducted.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the Facebook privacy settlement payout, claimants must have been Facebook users in the U.S. between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022. Users did not need to prove that their data was accessed by third parties. The deadline to file claims was August 25, 2023, and users who submitted valid claims are now waiting for their payments. If you missed the deadline, there is no way to claim part of the settlement now.

Checking Your Claim Status

For users who have already submitted claims, it is possible to check the status of their claims through the official settlement website: facebookuserprivacysettlement.com. Users can log in with their Claim ID, which was provided via email when the claim was first submitted. This portal will offer updates on the status of your claim and whether any additional information is needed.

FAQs

1. When will I receive my settlement check?

The current estimate for payout distribution is 2025 due to ongoing appeals. No specific date has been confirmed.

2. How much money will I get?

Most claimants can expect between $30 to $35, depending on how long they were Facebook users during the eligible period.

3. Who is eligible for the settlement?

U.S. residents who used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, are eligible, provided they submitted claims by August 25, 2023.

4. Can I still submit a claim for the settlement?

Unfortunately, the deadline to file claims passed on August 25, 2023. No further claims will be accepted.

5. Why is the payment delayed?

Payments are delayed due to ongoing appeals. The appeals process could take until mid-2025 or later before payments can be distributed.

Conclusion

The Facebook privacy settlement is one of the largest class-action settlements in U.S. history, with nearly 17 million valid claims submitted. Despite the massive payout fund, ongoing legal challenges have postponed the distribution timeline, leaving millions of claimants waiting for resolution. To stay updated on any changes, claimants are encouraged to monitor the official settlement website.