How to find out if you’re eligible for the $725 million class-action lawsuit against Facebook

If you’re one of the millions of people with a Facebook account, you may be eligible to collect part of a $725 million class-action settlement against the social media company. The settlement follows a highly publicized 2018 lawsuit after Meta, Facebook’s parent company, revealed the data of as much as 87 million users was shared with political consulting company Cambridge Analytica without the users’ consent.

The data privacy scandal arose after plaintiffs alleged Cambridge Analytica used the ill-gotten data of millions of users as part of Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign strategy. Per a CNN report, the data was acquired via a legitimate university research quiz but was then improperly transferred to third parties like Cambridge Analytica. The consulting firm, which closed operations following public scrutiny, denied they used the data as part of any political campaign.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg ran full-page apologies in both American and British newspapers as the scandal escalated. “This was a breach of trust, and I’m sorry we didn’t do more at the time. We’re now taking steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” wrote Zuckerberg before ensuring Facebook would investigate apps and limit their data access going forward. Zuckerberg was later called to testify in front of Congress as part of the lawsuit, before ultimately choosing to settle.

How to determine your eligibility and submit a claim

If you believe you’re one of the affected users, you can submit a claim using the Facebook User Privacy Settlement website. According to the site, U.S. Facebook users who used the site between the dates of May 24, 2007 and Dec. 22, 2022 are included in the settlement. Per NPR, Meta agreed to pay the $725 million settlement in December but notably did not admit to any wrongdoing. Meta maintains that users consented to sharing their data but a spokesperson stated the settlement was in the Facebook community and shareholders’ best interest.

Any Facebook users who wish to submit a claim must do so by Aug. 25, 2023. You can submit the claim online using the Settlement website or through mail. The website notes that by submitting a claim, users forfeit the right to sue Meta in regards to this Settlement. If you wish to opt out of the settlement (and retain your right to sue), you must do so no later than July 26, 2023. If you choose to do nothing but fit the criteria to make a claim, you are still considered part of the settlement. By doing nothing, you will not receive your part of the settlement and you will lose the right to sue Meta in regards to the settlement.