I bring you tidings of considerable interest, delivered directly from the primary source. The social media conglomerate, formerly known as Facebook and now rebranded as Meta, has agreed to a substantial settlement of $725 million in response to allegations of privacy infringements. Consequently, if you maintained an active Facebook account during the period spanning from May 2007 to December 2022, you are eligible to partake in this significant financial recompense.
Facebook will pay you: Lawsuit was all about Facebook sharing user data
The settlement was signed off in December 2022, in response to a class action lawsuit filed by the Keller Rohrback law firm. The lawsuit was all about Facebook sharing user data with Cambridge Analytica, a data consultancy firm that was used by Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, according to Gizmodo.
This whole kerfuffle cost Meta nearly $5.9 billion to be paid to the Federal Trade Commission, $100 million to the Securities and Exchange Commission, and $725 million for all US Facebook users. The exact amount each person will be paid can’t be determined until all eligible Facebook users sign up according to the settlement. The amount of money each person will receive depends on how many people submit their information and how long each person’s account has been active.
Now, Meta ain’t admitted to any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. But the accusations are that Cambridge Analytica was sharing Facebook’s data with third parties. Meta said at the time that the data was legally obtained by psychology professor Aleksandr Kogan who allegedly told the company he was using the information for academic purposes. However, Kogan reportedly transferred the information to third parties, including Cambridge Analytica, which violates Facebook’s policies.
In response to the allegations that Meta had shared users’ data, CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologized for not taking action to protect users’ data at the time by taking out full-page ads in several newspapers in 2018. He wrote: “I’m sorry we didn’t do more at the time. We’re now taking steps to ensure this doesn’t happen again,” as CNN reported.
Now, here’s the new bit. The settlement doesn’t require Facebook to admit any wrongdoing. However, the company has agreed to take steps to improve its privacy practices. These steps including:
- Hiring a third-party auditor to review its privacy practices
- Creating a new privacy oversight board
- Making it easier for users to control their data
If you want your cash, go to this website and fill out the form. The deadline to file a claim is August 25 and a final approval hearing is scheduled for Sept. 7, 2023, at 12 p.m. EST. At that time, the court will consider whether it is reasonable, fair, and equitable and will decide whether it will approve the settlement.
Therefore, I encourage you to seize this opportunity and hold Mr. Zuckerberg accountable. It is, indeed, a moment of recompense, a time when we, the users, receive something in return from the entity known as Facebook.
Privacy breaches in Meta: The costly misstep of Mark Zuckerberg
Indeed, the entire situation presents itself as a rather amusing spectacle. Our acquaintance, Mr. Zuckerberg, the esteemed leader of Facebook, has found himself in quite the predicament, akin to being caught in a state of undress. He has been implicated in sharing our private conversations with a questionable data firm. As a result, he now finds himself obligated to part with a considerable sum of money as a means of placating us.
It does beg the question, Mr. Zuckerberg, were you not touted as a prodigy of sorts? You have constructed this vast social network, with billions of individuals globally utilizing it, yet you have failed to safeguard our data. It is comparable to leaving one’s front door ajar and subsequently expressing surprise at being burgled.
The most intriguing aspect? He has yet to acknowledge any wrongdoing. Instead, he appears to be attempting to resolve the issue by merely throwing money at it, in the hopes that it will dissipate. Well, Mr. Zuckerberg, I will gladly accept your monetary offering. However, rest assured, your actions will not be forgotten. Perhaps, in the future, you might exercise more caution before deciding to trade our secrets.
So, let us all partake in a moment of levity at Mr. Zuckerberg’s expense. It is not often that we are privy to a billionaire facing the consequences of his actions, is it not? And do remember, if you possess a Facebook account, ensure you claim your portion of the settlement. It is the least Mr. Zuckerberg can do, considering the magnitude of his blunder.
Image credits: m.e. via Midjourney
