Facebook Begins Disbursing Settlement Payments to Millions

Lead Facebook has started issuing settlement payments to millions of U.S. users today as part of its $725 million privacy class-action settlement; individual checks range from $4.89 to $38.36 based on account tenure.

Nut Graf The payouts resolve long-standing claims that Facebook improperly shared user data from May 2007 through December 2022. After two years of appeals and administrative reviews, the funds are now flowing to approved claimants, marking a significant milestone in digital privacy accountability.

Settlement Distribution Kicks Off

• Payments commenced in early September and will continue in batches over approximately 10 weeks to manage the high volume of claims.
• Approved users receive email notifications three to four days before disbursement.

Point-Based Payouts Define Amounts

• Claimants earn one allocation point per month of active Facebook use during the class period.
• Minimum individual payments are set at $4.89 for shorter-term users; maximum payouts reach $38.36 for those with 188 points.
• Average settlement is estimated at $29.43 per recipient.

Legal and Administrative Deductions

• From the $725 million fund, approximately $181 million covers attorneys’ fees and $120,000 funds the eight lead plaintiffs.
• Remaining net proceeds are apportioned among nearly 17 million validated claimants.

Next Steps for Claimants

• Users should monitor their email for notices from the “Facebook User Privacy Settlement Administrator.”
• Questions about eligibility or payment status can be addressed via the settlement website FAQ.