Cambridge Analytica data harvesting Facebook's $725 Million Settlement: Use Facebook? How do you find out if you qualify?
If you were a Facebook user in the United States between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022, inclusive, you might be eligible for a cash payment from a Class Action Settlement.
Meta Platforms, Inc., formerly known as Facebook, has reached a settlement in a $725 million class action lawsuit, making it the single largest data privacy class action in U.S. history. The lawsuit alleged that Facebook shared user data with third parties without obtaining permission from its users and failed to monitor the use of user data by these third parties. This historic settlement highlights the importance of data privacy and the need for companies to prioritize the protection of user information.
The original lawsuits concerning Facebook's data infringement of privacy rights were consolidated into a single case known as "Facebook, Inc. Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation." The numerous lawsuits brought to the Court's attention that Facebook was sharing user data with various third parties, including:
• Third-Party App Developers • Facebook (Meta) Business Partners • Meta Advertisers • Data Brokers • Whitelisted Parties
The settlement aims to resolve investigations and lawsuits stemming from the 2016 election scandal involving Facebook's sharing of over 87 million users' data with a third-party company called Cambridge Analytica. This company, connected to Donald Trump's 2016 Presidential campaign, reportedly used user data without permission to harvest and profile voters, ultimately targeting and influencing the election in Trump's favor. Cambridge Analytica has since shut down following the scandal.
Despite agreeing to the $725 million settlement, Meta Platforms, Inc. has not accepted any liability for its actions or admitted to any wrongdoing. The Court has not made any judgment or decision regarding the righteousness of Facebook's actions concerning user data and its sharing of private user data with numerous third parties. Facebook stated that the settlement is in the best interest of Meta's community and its shareholders, with a nearly $600 billion valuation stock price as of April 2023.
You might qualify for compensation from the Facebook ( Meta) data privacy class action if you were a United States Facebook user from May 24, 2007, through December 22, 2022.
The historic $725 million class action settlement between Meta Platforms, Inc. and the plaintiffs is a powerful reminder of the importance of data privacy and the need for companies to prioritize protecting user information. Although Meta has not admitted any liability, this settlement marks a significant turning point in the ongoing conversation surrounding data privacy and the responsibilities of tech companies. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is crucial that companies like Meta take the necessary steps to safeguard user data and maintain public trust.