How to File a Facebook Biometric Privacy Claim

Facebook agreed to pay $650 million to settle claims it violated Illinois biometric privacy law by using facial recognition technology on photos without user consent. No documentation required — you can file in minutes. Here's everything you need to know to file your claim.

⚠️ Only 27 days left to file. Act now.

What Is the Facebook Biometric Privacy Settlement?

This settlement resolves claims that Facebook violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting and storing biometric face scan data from users without their informed written consent through its "Tag Suggestions" feature.

Illinois Facebook users who appeared in photos on the platform between June 2011 and August 2021 may be eligible for payment.

The case was brought as a class action, meaning a group of consumers with similar claims sued collectively. Rather than go to trial, the defendant agreed to settle. Class members — people who were affected by the alleged conduct — are eligible to file a claim and receive a share of the settlement fund.

Who Is Eligible to File a Claim?

• Must have been an Illinois resident during the class period
• Must have been a Facebook user
• Must have appeared in photos uploaded to Facebook where facial recognition was used

No documentation is required to file a basic claim. You self-certify your eligibility when submitting the claim form. The settlement administrator verifies class membership against the defendant's own records.

How Much Can You Get?

Individual payouts are estimated at $20k–$40k per person. The final amount each claimant receives depends on:

• The total number of valid claims filed
• Whether you have documentation supporting higher-tier compensation
• Attorney fees and administrative costs deducted from the fund

Filing is free and takes under 10 minutes. Even smaller payouts are worth claiming — there is no cost or risk to you.

How to File Your Facebook Biometric Privacy Claim — Step by Step

1. Go to the official claims website: Visit facebookbiometricprivacysettlement.com/. This is the only authorized portal to file your claim. Avoid third-party sites that charge fees to "help" you file.
2. Check your eligibility: Confirm that you meet the class definition — typically that you were a customer or were affected during the specified class period.
3. Complete the claim form: Provide your name, contact information, and any details about your relationship to the defendant. No receipts or proof of purchase are required for a standard claim.
4. Select your payment method: Most administrators offer check, PayPal, Venmo, Zelle, or virtual prepaid card. Choose whichever is most convenient.
5. Submit and save your confirmation: After submitting, you'll receive a confirmation number or email. Save it — you'll need it to check the status of your claim.

The filing process typically takes 5–10 minutes.

Filing Deadline: April 30, 2026

The deadline to file is April 30, 2026 — 27 days from now. Missing the deadline means you forfeit your right to compensation from this settlement. Set a calendar reminder today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this settlement legitimate?

Yes. This is a court-supervised class action settlement. It is overseen by U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois. The claims are administered by Rust Consulting. Filing is free and there is no obligation to accept the settlement if you prefer to pursue individual litigation.

Do I need a lawyer to file?

No. This is a class action — class counsel (the attorneys who filed the case) represents all class members. Filing your individual claim is free and does not require hiring a personal attorney.

How long until I get paid?

Payments are distributed after the settlement receives final court approval and all claims are processed. This typically takes several months to a year after the claims deadline. Be patient — the timeline is set by the court, not the administrator.

I already filed. Do I need to file again?

No. If you previously submitted a valid claim, you do not need to refile. Check your email for a prior confirmation from the settlement administrator.

What if I can't find the official claims website?

Visit the full Facebook Biometric Privacy settlement page on SettlementRadar — we maintain verified links to official settlement sites and update them when administrator sites change.

Bottom Line

Facebook agreed to pay $650 million to settle claims it violated Illinois biometric privacy law by using facial recognition technology on photos without user consent. No proof is required for a standard claim. Filing is free, takes under 10 minutes, and the deadline is April 30, 2026. Don't leave money on the table.

→ View the full Facebook Biometric Privacy details on SettlementRadar