Facebook privacy settlement payout: What users need to know
Facebook privacy settlement payout begin across U.S.
Payments from Facebook’s $725 million privacy settlement have officially started, with millions of users across the U.S. receiving emails, direct deposits, and checks this week. The settlement stems from lawsuits accusing Facebook of improperly sharing personal data with third parties, including advertisers and firms like Cambridge Analytica.
Meta, Facebook’s parent company, continues to deny wrongdoing but agreed to the payout to settle the claims. Now, many users are asking: How do I know if I qualify, and how much money will I actually get?
Who Is Getting Paid?
More than 19 million approved claimants are expected to receive payments. To qualify, users had to file a claim back in 2023 showing they held an active Facebook account between May 24, 2007, and December 22, 2022.
Approved claimants are receiving emails from the official settlement administrator, [email protected], confirming their claim ID and payment status.
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When Are Payments Being Sent?
According to the settlement administrator, payouts began in September 2025 and will continue over the next 10 weeks.
Recipients will also get an additional email notice three to four days before their payment is issued, so users are urged to keep an eye on their inboxes.
Payments are being distributed through several methods, including:
- Direct deposit
- PayPal
- Venmo
- Prepaid cards
- Paper checks by mail
How Much Will Users Receive?
The exact payout depends on account activity. Settlement amounts are calculated using a point system:
- Each month a person maintained an “activated” Facebook account between 2007 and 2022 equals one allocation point.
- After subtracting administrative and legal fees, the net settlement fund is divided among all claimants based on their total points.
Early reports suggest the average payment falls between $30 and $40, though some long-term users are receiving over $100. Users with shorter account histories may see smaller amounts.
Why Is Facebook Paying This Settlement?
The litigation began after the 2018 Cambridge Analytica scandal, which revealed that Facebook shared user data without consent for voter profiling.
The settlement became one of the largest privacy-related class-action payouts in U.S. history, with Meta paying $725 million to resolve the lawsuits without admitting liability.
What If You Haven’t Been Paid Yet?
Not all payments have been processed. The administrator confirmed that the rollout will extend into October 2025. Users should:
- Check their email inbox and spam folders for official notices.
- Verify their bank, PayPal, or Venmo accounts for deposits.
- Visit the official settlement website for updates.