Facebook Settlement Payments: What to Expect
Facebook users who filed a claim related to Meta's $725 million settlement concerning the Cambridge Analytica scandal are beginning to receive payments. The class-action lawsuit stemmed from allegations that user data was improperly accessed by third parties.
Background of the Settlement
The lawsuit was initiated after Facebook disclosed in 2018 that the private information of as many as 87 million users had been obtained by Cambridge Analytica, a data analytics firm that worked with President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign. Meta, Facebook's parent company, was accused of allowing Cambridge Analytica and other third parties to access user data without adequate oversight.
While Meta did not admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement, the company stated that it has since restricted third-party access to user data and developed more robust tools to inform users about data collection and sharing, according to court documents.
Eligibility and Claim Status
Any U.S. Facebook user with an active account between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, was eligible to file a claim, even if the account had been deleted. The filing deadline was August 25, 2023. Almost 29 million claims were filed, with approximately 18 million validated as of September 2023.
Payments are determined by whether a claim was valid and how long the individual was a Facebook user during the specified period. Those who did not file a claim are ineligible for payment.
Payment Timeline and Distribution
Following two appeals that were not resolved until May 14, 2025, the settlement was finalized on May 22, 2025. The court ordered the distribution of settlement benefits starting August 27.
“The distribution of settlement benefits has commenced and will continue for approximately 10 weeks. We thank you in advance for your patience,”
This update was posted on the settlement site on September 3.
Checking Your Claim and Payment Details
Approved claims are being notified by email up to four days before payouts are issued. If you are unsure about the status of your claim, you can contact the settlement administrator at info@facebookuserprivacysettlement.com, providing your claim ID.
Payment Amounts and Methods
Of the $725 million settlement fund, roughly $540 million is allocated to cover approved settlement claims. A system of "allocation points" determines payment amounts. One allocation point is assigned for each calendar month a person had a Facebook account between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022. Meta stated in a 2024 legal document that users active on Facebook for longer periods will receive a larger share of the settlement.
Payments are being sent directly to the bank account provided on the claim form or via PayPal, a virtual prepaid Mastercard, Venmo, or Zelle. If a payment is unsuccessful or expires, recipients will receive a "second chance email" to update their payment method.
