Clock Ticking For Illinois Facebook Users To File Claims

ILLINOIS — Illinois Facebook users have just two weeks to submit a claim to receive cash payout from is expected to be $200 to $400 from an out-of-court settlement with the social media company. The deadline to submit a claim is Nov. 23.

In 2015, lawsuits were filed against Facebook over its use of a "face tagging" feature. Plaintiffs claimed that Facebook was collecting biometric information ("face prints") without getting proper consent required by the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. Facebook disputed the allegations.

Facebook has settled a class action lawsuit that claimed the social media company collected and stored facial templates of its users between June 7, 2011, and Aug. 19, 2020, when the settlement was approved.

Earlier this year, U.S. District Judge James Donato gave preliminary approval to a $650 million settlement, out of which class members can claim money. Facebook has also agreed to change its practices. It's not known how much individual class members will receive, but lead law firm Edelson PC predicts an individual will get $200 to $400. A household with four eligible people could receive as much as $800 to $1,600.

More than 1.2 million Facebook users in Illinois have submitted claims, but there are many millions more who have yet to take two minutes to fill out a claim form at Facebook BIP Class Action

All eligible participants have to do is visit the site and share either an email address or phone number associated with their Facebook account, and then provide basic contact information. Claimants can choose how they’d like to be paid, via check, Zelle, PayPal or direct deposit.

Read more about the class action lawsuit at Facebook BIPA Class Action.