Facebook Privacy Settlement — Illinois BIPA

What Is This Settlement?

Meta settled claims that Facebook's facial recognition feature violated Illinois' Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting and storing users' facial geometry without proper consent. A $650 million settlement fund covers eligible Illinois Facebook users.

Am I Eligible?

1. 1Had a Facebook account at any time between June 7, 2011 and August 19, 2020
2. 2Resided in Illinois at any point during that period
3. 3Appeared in a photo tagged on Facebook while residing in Illinois
4. 4Did not previously opt out of this settlement class

How to File Your Claim

1. 1

   Visit the official claim portal

   Go to the settlement website. You'll need the email address or phone number linked to your Facebook account.

2. 2

   Verify your Illinois residency

   Confirm that you lived in Illinois during the eligible period. No utility bills or IDs are required — self-certification is accepted.

3. 3

   Submit your claim

   Fill out the short form with your contact details and Facebook email. The process takes under 5 minutes.

4. 4

   Choose payment method

   Select how you'd like to receive your payment: check, PayPal, Venmo, or Zelle. Digital payments arrive faster.

Is This Legit?

Verify this settlement directly from official sources:

• Official Settlement Website
• Court Documents

Tax Considerations

Privacy-related settlement payments are generally treated as a return of your intangible rights and are not considered taxable income by most tax authorities. However, amounts over $600 may be reported on a 1099-MISC. Consult a tax advisor.

Frequently Asked Questions