What is the Facebook Class Action Lawsuit in Illinois?
In 2015, a group of Facebook users in Illinois filed a class action lawsuit against the company, alleging that it violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) by collecting and storing their biometric data without their consent. BIPA is a state law that protects individuals’ privacy by requiring companies to obtain their consent before collecting or storing their biometric data, such as facial scans and fingerprints.
The lawsuit alleged that Facebook collected and stored users’ biometric data through its “Tag Suggestions” feature and other features involving facial recognition technology. Facebook denied any wrongdoing, but in 2020, the company reached a $650 million settlement with the class members.
In 2022, Facebook was hit with another class action lawsuit in Illinois, this time alleging that it violated BIPA by collecting and storing users’ biometric data without their consent for its “DeepFace” facial recognition technology. Facebook again denied any wrongdoing, but in 2023, the company reached a $725 million settlement with the class members.
Who is Eligible to Participate in the Facebook Class Action Lawsuits in Illinois?
To be eligible to participate in the Facebook class action lawsuits in Illinois, you must have been a Facebook user located in Illinois at the time that your biometric data was collected or stored. You are also eligible if you deleted your Facebook account during the class period, but later recreated it.
How to File a Claim in the Facebook Class Action Lawsuits in Illinois
If you believe that you are eligible to participate in the Facebook class action lawsuits in Illinois, you can file a claim online or by mail. The deadline to file a claim in the first lawsuit was August 25, 2023, and the deadline to file a claim in the second lawsuit is still pending.
What Compensation Can I Expect if I Participate in the Facebook Class Action Lawsuits in Illinois?
The amount of compensation that you can expect to receive from the Facebook class action lawsuits in Illinois will depend on a number of factors, including the number of class members who participate and the severity of your injuries. In the first lawsuit, class members received an average payment of $350. In the second lawsuit, the amount of compensation is still to be determined.
Conclusion
The Facebook class action lawsuits in Illinois are a reminder to companies that they must comply with all applicable privacy laws, including BIPA. If you believe that your biometric data has been collected or stored without your consent, you may have legal recourse.
FAQs
Q: What is biometric data?
A: Biometric data is any data that is used to uniquely identify an individual based on their physical or behavioral characteristics. This can include facial scans, fingerprints, iris scans, and voice prints.
Q: What is BIPA?
A: BIPA is the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act. It is a state law that protects individuals’ privacy by requiring companies to obtain their consent before collecting or storing their biometric data.
Q: How do I know if my biometric data was collected by Facebook?
A: If you used Facebook’s “Tag Suggestions” feature or any other feature involving facial recognition technology, then your biometric data may have been collected. You can also check your Facebook privacy settings to see if you have opted in to have your biometric data collected.
Q: What should I do if I think my biometric data was collected by Facebook without my consent?
A: If you think your biometric data was collected by Facebook without your consent, you can contact Facebook directly or file a complaint with the Illinois Attorney General’s Office. You may also be eligible to participate in one of the Facebook class action lawsuits in Illinois.
Q: What is the deadline to file a claim in the Facebook class action lawsuits in Illinois?
A: The deadline to file a claim in the first Facebook class action lawsuit in Illinois was August 25, 2023. The deadline to file a claim in the second lawsuit is still pending.
Q: How much compensation can I expect to receive if I participate in the Facebook class action lawsuits in Illinois?
A: The amount of compensation that you can expect to receive from the Facebook class action lawsuits in Illinois will depend on a number of factors, including the number of class members who participate and the severity of your injuries. In the first lawsuit, class members received an average payment of $350. In the second lawsuit, the amount of compensation is still to be determined.
References:
- NBC Chicago: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/you-may-be-owed-money-in-a-new-facebook-class-action-lawsuit-worth-millions-heres-how-to-find-out/2867109/
- Illinois Attorney General’s Office: https://www.hbsslaw.com/cases/illinois-bipa-legal-investigation
- Facebook class action lawsuit settlement website: https://www.fbinternettrackingsettlement.com/submit-claim.php
