Anyone who has used Facebook for the past 16 years can now receive severance pay. Here's how you do it. (2023)

MoneyWatch

Von Aimee Picchi

Updated on: 10 May 2023 / 17:24/ MoneyWatch

Facebook users can get severance pay

How do I claim money in the Facebook settlement?

Go toRequirements websiteto complete your claim, or print the claim and mail it to: Facebook Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation, c/o Settlement Administrator, 1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

What information do I need to provide?

The requirement requires basic information:

your name
Your address
From email
Your phone
If you were a resident of the United States between May 24, 2007 and December 22, 2022
If you were a Facebook user between May 24, 2007 and December 22, 2022
If you have deleted your account during this period, that is the period you were a Facebook user
Your Facebook username
Your preferred payment service, e.g. B. PayPal, Venmo or a prepaid Mastercard

How long does it take to fill out the form?

It should only take a few minutes.

How do I find my Facebook name?

You can find it on the Facebook website by going to "Account" and then clicking on "Settings and Privacy". From there, click on “Settings”. It must say "Username".

On the mobile app, go to the menu and then click your display name at the top of the screen. Then select "..." next to "Edit Profile" and your username will appear under "Your Profile Link".

Can I apply for more than one Facebook account?

The claims administrator says that if you created but deleted one or more Facebook accounts and later created a new Facebook account, you are entitled to the full amount of time you had an active Facebook account during that time.

However, if you had multiple accounts at the same time, you may not be eligible for these additional accounts. In other words, no double counting according to the Claims Administrator.

Can I take care of a deceased person?

Yes, but there are a few extra steps involved.

First submit the claim in the deceased's name and enter their details in the 'Your Facebook Account' section of the claim form.

Next, submit a request to the claims administrator to change the name of the beneficiary or applicant's estate. To do this, you must provide documentation showing the reason for the name change, such as a copy of the death certificate. Email the administrator from their emailsecure portalwith the justification and documentation showing the need for the change.

You can send an email to via the secure portaladministrativ@angeiongroup.com. Use the subject line: "Name Change - Privacy Policy for Facebook Users" and include the claim ID from the claim confirmation and the full name of the deceased. The website will also ask you to register with your email address and password.

You can also send the documentation by post to the following address:

Is the Facebook comparison legal?

I, lute Meta.

"We have sought a settlement as it is in the best interest of our community and our shareholders," a spokesperson for Meta told CBS MoneyWatch. "We will notify people of this settlement through their Facebook notifications so they can decide whether to participate."

How much money will I get?

It is unclear, as the settlement amount per user depends on how many people apply, says the comparison website.

However, it is likely that the lawyers involved in the case will receive a portion of the settlement as part of their fees. The claims website said they could be awarded up to 25% of the settlement - or $181.3 million. If they receive that amount, the damages to the Facebook users asserting part of the claim will be reduced to $543.7 million.

Each applicant earns one point for each month they had an "activated" Facebook account between May 24, 2007 and December 22, 2022. The settlement administrator adds up all the points awarded to all applicants and then divides the net settlement amount by that number.

Each applicant will receive this amount per points multiplied by the number of points assigned to them, meaning that people who were on Facebook for shorter periods of time would likely receive a lower settlement amount.

When will I get the money?

Later this year at the earliest.

The claim side notes that there will be a final settlement meeting on September 7, where the court will decide whether to approve the deal and pay attorneys' fees and other costs. If the settlement is approved, the case may still be subject to appeal, which will take an unknown amount of time to resolve, the website states.

"The settlement payments will be made as soon as possible once the court issues final approval of the settlement and any appeals are resolved," it said.

Can I opt out of the settlement – and if so, why should I do so?

Yes, Facebook users can object to the comparison. One possible reason is that they want to preserve their right to sue the company separately over the issues and allegations in the case, the settlement website says.

To opt out, you must submit a request online or by email by July 26, the site says. To send the request in writing, you must provide the following information:

Case Name - Re: Facebook, Inc. Consumer Protection User Profile Litigation, Case #3:18-md-02843-VC (N.D. Cal.)
Your name and current address
Your signature
A statement "clearly expressing your intention to be excluded from the settlement"
The URL to your Facebook account
A statement that you were a Facebook user between 24 May 2007 and 22 December 2022

What if I do nothing?

If you neither file a lawsuit nor opt out of the settlement, you waive your right to file a lawsuit, continue a lawsuit, or participate in any other legal proceeding against Facebook on the issues raised in the lawsuit. According to the website, you will not get any part of the settlement money either.

Are there people excluded from the scheme?

Except for those who opt out of the settlement, persons working for Meta, its affiliates or subsidiaries, plaintiff's attorneys and their employees may not join the settlement. The special master involved in the case, mediators and judges also cannot participate.

The comparison also does not apply to users outside the US or to people who were not Facebook users at any time between May 24, 2007 and December 22, 2022.

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