The Facebook settlement payment amount depends on how many people filed claims and how much money was available to distribute

In 2020, Facebook agreed to pay $650 million to settle a lawsuit about how the company used people's photos and likenesses in ads without permission. The actual amount each person received varied because the total was divided among everyone who filed a valid claim. When the settlement was distributed in 2023, individual payments ranged from less than $200 to over $500, depending on how many claims were submitted.

The settlement covered people in Illinois, Texas, and California — the three states where the lawsuit was filed. If you lived in one of those states and had a Facebook account during the time period covered by the lawsuit (roughly 2011 to 2015), you may have been able to file a claim. The important date to file has now passed, so if you did not submit a claim by the important date, you cannot receive a payment from this particular settlement.

Key Takeaways

  • The Facebook settlement distributed $650 million total, but each person's individual payment depended on the number of valid claims filed.
  • Individual payments ranged from under $200 to over $500 when the money was distributed in 2023.
  • Only people who lived in Illinois, Texas, or California and had a Facebook account during 2011 to 2015 were covered by this settlement.
  • The important date to file a claim has passed, and no new claims are being accepted.

How the payment amount was calculated

The settlement did not promise each person a fixed dollar amount. Instead, Facebook set aside $650 million, and that money was divided equally among everyone who submitted a valid claim. This meant the actual per-person payment depended entirely on how many people filed.

The settlement administrator — the company hired to manage the process — reviewed each claim to make sure the person lived in one of the three covered states and had a Facebook account during the covered time period. Claims that did not meet these requirements were rejected, and those people received nothing. Only approved claims counted toward the division of the $650 million.

When payments were sent and how they arrived

Facebook began sending settlement payments in the fall of 2023, more than three years after the settlement was first announced. The company sent payments by check or direct deposit, depending on what each person chose when they filed their claim. If you filed a claim and were approved, you should have received your payment by early 2024.

If you filed a claim but never received a payment, it likely means your claim was rejected during the review process. This usually happened because the claim did not meet the requirements — for example, if the person filing did not live in one of the three covered states during the time period in question.

What happened if you did not file a claim

The important date to file a claim for the Facebook settlement passed in 2022. If you did not submit a claim by that date, you cannot receive a payment from this settlement, even if you were may be able to access. The settlement administrator no longer accepts new claims.

If you think you should have received a payment but did not, you can contact the settlement administrator to ask about your claim status. However, if you straightforward missed the important date, there is no way to file now. This settlement is closed.

Other Facebook settlements and lawsuits

The photo and likeness settlement was not the only lawsuit Facebook faced. The company has settled other cases involving privacy, data practices, and user information. Some of these settlements may still be open to claims, while others have already closed and distributed their payments.

If you are looking for information about a different Facebook settlement, you will need to search for that specific case by name or topic. Settlement names, important date, and payment amounts vary widely depending on what the lawsuit was about and which states were covered.

How to learn about you received a payment

If you filed a claim for the Facebook settlement and want to know whether you were approved and received a payment, you can contact the settlement administrator directly. When you filed your claim, you should have received a claim number or confirmation email — keep that information handy when you reach out.

You can also check your bank account or mailbox if you chose direct deposit or check payment. Payments were sent over several months in late 2023 and early 2024, so if you filed a claim, look back through your records from that time period. If you see a deposit or check from the settlement administrator, that is your payment.

Why settlement payments take so long

The Facebook settlement took more than three years from announcement to payment because the settlement administrator had to review hundreds of thousands of claims. Each claim required verification that the person met the requirements — living in the right state and having a Facebook account during the right time period. This process cannot be rushed without risking payments to people who were not actually may be able to access.

Additionally, the settlement had to go through the court system for final approval. Judges review large settlements to make sure they are fair to everyone involved. This legal review added months to the timeline. Once the court approved the settlement and the claims review was complete, payments could finally be sent out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still file a claim for the Facebook settlement?

No. The important date to file a claim passed in 2022, and the settlement administrator is no longer accepting new claims. If you missed the important date, you cannot receive a payment from this settlement.

How do I know if my claim was approved?

Contact the settlement administrator with your claim number or the email address you used when you filed. They can tell you whether your claim was approved and whether a payment was sent. If you received a payment in late 2023 or early 2024, your claim was approved.

What if I lived in a different state during the time period?

The Facebook settlement only covered people who lived in Illinois, Texas, or California. If you lived elsewhere, you were not may be able to access for this particular settlement, even if you had a Facebook account.

Do I have to pay taxes on the settlement payment?

Settlement payments may be taxable depending on your situation and your state's tax laws. Consult a tax professional or your tax return preparer about whether you need to report the payment as income.

Are there other Facebook settlements I should know about?

Yes. Facebook has faced other lawsuits and settled cases involving different issues. Some may still be open to claims. Search for "Facebook settlement" along with the specific topic you are interested in — such as "privacy" or "data" — to find information about other cases.