How Illinois Facebook Users Can Claim Cash In $725M Settlement

ILLINOIS — Facebook users across the state could be in line for another payout later this year after a $725 million class-action suit against the social media platform was brought against the company for providing personal information to third parties without permission.

A settlement comes after Facebook paid out $650 million last year for using photos of users without their permission as a violation of Illinois and federal privacy laws. Last year, Facebook users in Illinois received up to $400 as part of the settlement payout.

This year, Facebook is expected to pay another large settlement after a lawsuit alleges that the company made users’ private information to third parties without their permission and then did not monitor how those parties used the information, according to the suit.

To be eligible, residents had to be Facebook members between May 24, 2007, and Dec. 22, 2022. Payments will depend on how long residents have been present on the social media platform.

According to the settlement details, claimants will receive one point for every month they had an activated Facebook account over the more than 15 years included in the lawsuit. The suit says that the final amount each person receives is based on a formula that includes the number of people who file claims and then each person will receive a designated amount of money multiplied by the total number of points they accumulated.

Claims must be filed by Aug. 25 and can be done by clicking here.

Facebook users can also download and print a copy, then mail it to:

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

The final hearing on the lawsuit will take place on Sept. 7 and payments will be made after that point.