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Money

Facebook Users: Today's the Last Day to Get Your Share of the $725M Privacy Settlement

The settlement is connected to the 2018 Cambridge Analytica data privacy scandal. Millions of users can file a claim, but time has almost run out.

Dan Avery Writer

Dan is a writer on CNET's How-To team. His byline has appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek, NBC News, Architectural Digest and elsewhere. He is a crossword junkie and is interested in the intersection of tech and marginalized communities.

Expertise Personal Finance, Government and Policy, Consumer Affairs

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Dan Avery

Aug. 25, 2023 10:26 a.m. PT

2 min read

Mark Zuckerberg standing behind a phone with the Facebook app on it — Facebook agreed to pay $725 million to settle claims relating to the Cambridge Analytica scandal.
Getty Images

Today's your last chance to get in on what might be the largest privacy settlement in US history: Facebook's parent company, Meta, is paying $725 million to settle claims involving the sharing of user data with third-party companies.

Meta agreed in December 2022 to settle the class-action lawsuit, and eligible Facebook users began filing claims in April. Now the deadline to be a part of the settlement has arrived.

Many users have received messages from Facebook about a lawsuit alleging the social media giant "shared people's data with third parties and didn't monitor how that data was accessed and shared."

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Back in 2018, Facebook was accused of improperly disclosing users' personal information. Cambridge Analytica, a UK political consulting firm with ties to Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, got hold of the data of as many as 87 million Facebook users.

Meta has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement, the company said it agreed to the deal because "it's in the best interest of our community and shareholders."

Here's what you need to know about the Facebook settlement, including how to file a claim, the deadline details and who's eligible for payment.

Who can get money from the Facebook settlement?

Anyonewho lived in the US and used Facebook between May 24, 2007, and Dec. 22, 2022, is considered eligible for the class settlement.

When is the deadline to file a claim?

All claims must be submitted or postmarked by Aug. 25, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

The deadline to opt out of the settlement and retain your right to pursue litigation against Meta separately passed on July 26.

How do I file a claim in the Facebook case?

You must submit a valid claim online or mail in a completed print form to:

Facebook Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation
c/o Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103

How much money can I get from the Facebook settlement?

The amount of money an individual will receive depends on how long they have had a Facebook account and how many total valid claims are submitted.

Class members can choose to have their funds distributed by direct deposit, Venmo, Zelle, PayPal or prepaid Mastercard.

When will I receive my money?

A final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Sept. 7, 2023. Any distribution would happen after that, though the process could be delayed by appeals.