In 2021, Facebook agreed to a $650 million settlement to resolve a class-action lawsuit that alleged the company had violated Illinois privacy laws. As part of the settlement, Facebook agreed to change its facial recognition practices and pay eligible users in Illinois up to $400 each.
Now that Facebook has rebranded as Meta, the company has announced that it will begin paying out the settlement funds to eligible users in Illinois. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the settlement and how users can claim their share of the money.
Background of the Facebook Settlement
The Facebook settlement stems from a class-action lawsuit that was filed in 2015. The lawsuit alleged that Facebook had violated Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting and storing users' facial recognition data without their consent.
Under BIPA, companies are required to obtain written consent from individuals before collecting and storing their biometric data, such as facial recognition data. The law also requires companies to disclose how they will use the data and how long they will keep it.
The lawsuit against Facebook was filed on behalf of all Illinois Facebook users who had their facial recognition data collected and stored by the company between June 7, 2011, and August 19, 2020. The plaintiffs argued that Facebook had violated BIPA by failing to obtain users' consent and failing to provide them with adequate notice.
In January 2020, Facebook agreed to settle the lawsuit for $550 million, which was later increased to $650 million. In addition to the monetary settlement, Facebook agreed to change its facial recognition practices and provide users with more information about how the company uses their biometric data.
How to Claim Your Share of the Settlement Money
If you're an Illinois resident who had a Facebook account between June 7, 2011, and August 19, 2020, you may be eligible to claim your share of the settlement money. To do so, you'll need to file a claim by November 23, 2023.
The claims process is relatively straightforward. You'll need to provide some basic information, such as your name and contact information, and confirm that you had a Facebook account during the relevant time period. You'll also need to provide some form of identification, such as a driver's license or passport.
Once you've submitted your claim, you'll need to wait for it to be reviewed and approved. If your claim is approved, you'll receive a payment of up to $400, depending on how many people file claims.
It's worth noting that the settlement funds will be distributed on a pro rata basis. That means that if too many people file claims, the amount of money each person receives may be reduced. Conversely, if not enough people file claims, each person may receive more than $400.
To encourage people to file claims, Meta has launched a website that provides information about the settlement and how to file a claim. The website includes a step-by-step guide to the claims process, answers to frequently asked questions, and a link to the claims form.
What This Settlement Means for Facial Recognition Technology
The Facebook settlement is significant because it highlights the potential dangers of facial recognition technology and the importance of protecting individuals' biometric data. Facial recognition technology has become increasingly common in recent years, and it has been used for a variety of purposes, including security, marketing, and law enforcement.
However, the use of facial recognition technology raises serious privacy concerns. Critics argue that facial recognition technology can be used to track individuals' movements and behavior without their knowledge or consent, and that it can be used to discriminate against certain groups of people.
The Facebook settlement sends a clear message to companies that collect and use biometric data. Companies must obtain individuals' consent before collecting their biometric data, and they
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