Illinois Facebook Users Have 2 Weeks Left To Apply For Settlement
As part of a $650 million dollar settlement to a class-action lawsuit, claimants may be eligible for payments of between $200-$400, depending on the number of valid claims filed.
I don't know about you, but to me, the chance of picking up between two and four hundred dollars from the deep pockets at Facebook is probably worth checking out.
You'd better get to work on filing your claim, though. The deadline to file is rapidly approaching. You have to have it done and filed by November 23rd, which gives you a bit less than two weeks.
If this is the first you're hearing about this, here's the deal. The lawsuit was filed over Facebook's collection and storing of biometric data of Illinois users without proper consent.
And, to be eligible, you have to check these boxes:
- Illinois Facebook user, located in Illinois
- Must have been a resident of Illinois for at least 183 days (six months)
- User for whom Facebook created and stored a face template after June 7, 2011.
- Claims must be filed by November 23, 2020
Facebook users in Illinois sued Facebook claiming that its “Tag Suggestions” feature and other features involving facial recognition technology, violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act ("BIPA"). That law says companies can't collect, store, or give out "biometric data," which includes things like face or fingerprint scans, without first giving notice and getting consent.
For more information and to file a claim, click here.
From the website FacebookBipaClassAction.com:
If you believe you are a class member you can fill out a short Claim Form and receive approximately $200 to $400 per person from a $650 million Settlement Fund. The amount you receive may be less than or greater than this amount depending on the number of valid claims filed. This fund will also be used to pay the costs of notifying people about the Settlement, the lawyers’ fees, awards to the users who helped bring the lawsuit, and certain taxes. The Settlement also requires Facebook to turn “off” the Facial Recognition setting and delete face templates for most Class Members unless they turn it back “on.”