Payouts Begin in $90M Facebook Internet Tracking Settlement

If you were a Facebook user in the United States between April 22, 2010, and September 26, 2011, and visited websites outside of Facebook that displayed the Facebook "Like" button, you may have a payment coming from a class action settlement.

Meta Platforms, Inc. (formerly known as Facebook, Inc.) has agreed to pay $90 million to resolve allegations that it improperly collected and stored data from Facebook users who visited third-party websites featuring the Facebook "Like" button.

Who is eligible for a Facebook payment?

You are a class member if:

• You must have been a Facebook user in the United States between April 22, 2010, and September 26, 2011.
• During this time, you must have visited at least one non-Facebook website that displayed the Facebook "Like" button.

How much is the class action settlement payout?

Pro Rata Cash Payment: Each approved claimant will receive a cash payment. Final amount will be determined by the number of claims submitted, along with settlement fees and costs.

How to claim a Facebook class action rebate

To receive a settlement payment, class members were required to submit a completed claim form by the September 22, 2022 deadline. Claim forms could be submitted online through the official settlement website or by mail to the settlement administrator.

Settlement Administrator's mailing address: Facebook Internet Tracking Litigation, c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

Was proof required to submit a claim?

Class members did have to provide Facebook user account information, but no supporting documentation was required with the claim form.

Settlement payment options

Claimants selected from the following:

• PayPal
• Venmo
• Virtual Prepaid Card
• Zelle
• Check mailed to address provided

$90 Million Facebook class action settlement fund

The $90,000,000 included the following:

• Settlement administration costs: $2,353,535.26
• Attorneys' fees: Up $26,100,000
• Attorneys' expenses: Up to $393,0480.87
• Service awards to class representatives: $5,000 each for MDL Plaintiffs and $3,000 each for State Court Plaintiffs
• Payments to approved claimants: Remaining settlement funds after deductions

Important dates

• Deadline to File a Claim: September 22, 2022
• Final Approval Hearing: October 27, 2022
• Settlement Effective Date: February 24, 2025

When is the Facebook Internet Tracking Litigation payout date?

The Supreme Court denied a petition for a writ of certiorari on January 27, 2025. Provided no further appeals are filed, the distribution of settlement payments to eligible claimants is tentatively scheduled for April 10, 2025.

Why was this class action lawsuit filed?

This lawsuit was initiated because plaintiffs alleged that Meta improperly collected and stored personal data from Facebook users who visited third-party websites displaying the Facebook "Like" button. Meta denies all allegations of wrongdoing but agreed to settle the case to avoid prolonged litigation.

Sources

1. Official Settlement Website Notice
2. Settlement Agreement Document