Summary
In 2018, Facebook revealed that the data company Cambridge Analytica had scraped user profiles on the site to create profiles of potential voters. To settle a class action lawsuit related to this revelation, anyone who has had a Facebook account in the last 16 years can claim a portion of the $725 million. However, you must act between now and August to claim a portion of this money.
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Have you used Facebook at any time in the last 16 years? The chances are good that the answer is probably a yes. Assuming you are in that group of Facebook users, you could be owed a small portion of a $725 million court settlement. But you must take action before August 25th.
For Personal Tech Media, this is Two Minute Tech. I’m Jim Herman.
After the Cambridge Analytica scandal, multiple lawsuits were filed against Facebook. In 2018, the social media site revealed the data company Cambridge Analytica had scraped private user data to create profiles on voters. Facebook disclosed the data of 87 million users was shared with Cambridge Analytica.
Facebook continues to deny any wrongdoing in this instance, which is typical when large companies agree to settlements. However, it says it is settling the lawsuit because it is in the best interests of its users and its shareholders.
To receive a portion of the settlement money, you need to visit facebookuserprivacysettlement.com and make a claim there. You’ll need to enter your name, address, phone number, Facebook username, and confirm the dates that you were both a resident of the United States and a Facebook user.
You’ll receive one share of the settlement for each month you had an active account. The final amount you receive will depend on the number of users who sign up. As always, you can choose to exclude yourself from the settlement and sue Facebook yourself, but you’ll still need to file a statement to be excluded. If you do nothing, you won’t be able to sue separately and you’ll receive no payment in return.