Meta Platforms location data privacy $37.5M class action settlement

EDITOR’S NOTE: This content has been sponsored and edited for clarity in collaboration with the sponsor.

This lawsuit alleges Meta improperly inferred the location of Facebook users in the United States through their IP addresses even if a Facebook user had turned off location services on their iOS or Android device for the Facebook application. 

Meta expressly denies any liability or wrongdoing.

The settlement class includes all natural persons residing in the United States who used Facebook between Jan. 30, 2015, and April 18, 2018, inclusive, and whose iOS or Android Location Services setting for the Facebook application was turned off at any point during that period, but whose location information was inferred by Facebook via the user’s IP Addresses.

Consumers may file a claim if they reside in the United States, used Facebook between Jan. 30, 2015, and April 18, 2018, inclusive, and believe their iOS or Android Location Services setting for the Facebook application was turned off at any point during that period.

If the settlement is approved by the court, the defendant will establish a settlement fund of $37.5 million to pay all valid claims submitted by the settlement class members (unless deemed economically or administratively infeasible as determined by the court), as well as notice and administration expenses, attorneys’ fees and costs, and service awards for the settlement class representatives.

If the court determines the number of claims made renders it economically or administratively infeasible to pay money to persons who make a timely and valid claim, payment will instead be made to non-profit organizations as approved by the court. In other words, in this situation, class members who made claims will not receive payment, but rather the settlement fund will be distributed to non-profit organizations.

The deadline to submit a claim form is Aug. 11, 2023.

Settlement class members who wish to exclude themselves from the settlement must do so no later than Aug. 11, 2023. Settlement class members who wish to object to the settlement must do so no later than Oct. 5, 2023.

The court has scheduled a final approval hearing at 10 a.m. Pacific on Oct. 19, 2023.

Who’s Eligible

All natural persons residing in the United States who used Facebook between Jan. 30, 2015, and April 18, 2018, inclusive, and whose iOS or Android Location Services setting for the Facebook application was turned off at any point during that period, but whose location information was inferred by Facebook via the user’s IP addresses.

Potential Award

Varies.

Claim Form

NOTE: If you do not qualify for this settlement do NOT file a claim.

Remember: you are submitting your claim under penalty of perjury. You are also harming other eligible Class Members by submitting a fraudulent claim. If you’re unsure if you qualify, please read the FAQ section of the Settlement Administrator’s website to ensure you meet all standards (Top Class Actions is not a Settlement Administrator). If you don’t qualify for this settlement, check out our database of other open class action settlements you may be eligible for.

Claim Form Deadline

08/11/2023

Case Name

Lundy, et al. v. Meta Platforms Inc., Case No. 3:18-cv-06793-JD, pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California

Final Hearing

10/19/2023

Settlement Website

FacebookLocationSettlement.com

Claims Administrator

Facebook Location Settlement
c/o Settlement Administrator
1650 Arch Street, Suite 2210
Philadelphia, PA 19103
info@FacebookLocationSettlement.com 
855-488-0996

Class Counsel

TYCKO & ZAVAREEI LLP

STUEVE SIEGEL HANSON LLP

Defense Counsel

GIBSON DUNN & CRUTCHER LLP