Facebook to send some users bonus payments in $725M settlement | Latest Tech News
Facebook’s $725 million privateness settlement is sending bonus checks — some are price less than a cup of espresso.
Nearly three years after Facebook users filed claims in a huge privateness settlement tied to the improper sharing of data with the political consulting firm, some claimants are receiving a shock second cost. But don’t get too excited. Unlike the initial checks that arrived last 12 months, which had been already less than thrilling, this second spherical is the consequence of uncashed checks and leftover funds that are being redistributed.
Under the phrases of the settlement, any unclaimed money is redistributed to claimants who efficiently obtained and cashed their initial payout.
Second spherical of checks for the traditionally large data breach are anticipated to average around $4.72. Jirapong – stock.adobe.com
The settlement traces back to the notorious Cambridge Analytica scandal that rocked Facebook in 2018, when it was revealed that a political consulting firm had harvested data from as many as 87 million users without their consent and used it to construct voter profiles for focused political adverts. The fallout sparked congressional hearings, a public grilling of CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and billions in penalties, in the end culminating in the $725 million privateness settlement that’s still sending checks to users years later.
According to Angeion, the settlement administrator handling the payout, roughly 28 million claims had been filed.
“As far as we can tell, that’s the largest number of claims ever filed in a class action in the United States,” Lesley Weaver, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs in the case, said in court.
According to settlement directors, the average supplemental cost is predicted to be about $4.72, which, as some users identified, is wildly ironic given Zuckerberg’s financial stature.
Facebook users took to social media to voice the issues over a budget mea culpa for years of data mining. Julien Eichinger – stock.adobe.com
Meta, Facebook’s mum or dad company, denied wrongdoing but agreed to the $725 million settlement in 2022, paving the way in which for payouts to hundreds of thousands of users who filed claims. The first spherical of payments started in 2025, with award quantities various based on how long a claimant maintained a Facebook account and the entire quantity of authorized claims submitted.
But of the $725 million, a large portion was spent on legal bills and administrative charges, according to The Hill, which left about $556 million to cut up among class members. Now, about $100m stays.
“Wow! The possibilities are endless! As long as those possibilities are centered around a gift card. $30 hush money for 15 years of data mining doesn’t exactly seem fair,” said one Reddit person.
Others in contrast the price to less than a fast-food meal.
“Might end up being the most pathetic class action suit in history. Not even enough for a McDonald’s Value Meal,” joked another.
While any surprising money is welcome, in other phrases, yes, Facebook could owe you money. Just don’t start planning your trip around it.
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