Users report payouts from Facebook Consumer Privacy settlement – here’s how much they’re receiving

If you scrolled past a flood of Zelle and PayPal screenshots in the past 48 hours, you’re not alone. Facebook users across the US are suddenly seeing real money pop up in their accounts. After what felt like eternity since the Cambridge Analytica scandal first hit the headlines, the payout from the Facebook Consumer Privacy class action settlement has finally dropped, and folks are sharing what they got.

Take @tbwoy on X, who cheerfully announced, “THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! Not much but it’ll take this lunch money!” after their payment landed via Zelle.

Another user, @JefriNewbie, also posted a screenshot on X saying, “it’s not just a few pennies,” and decided to spend theirs on groceries.

Both these posts share the vibe you’ll find across Threads, Facebook groups, Instagram, and Reddit: sure, it’s a small pat on the back for all those hours lost in the feed, but let’s be real, most of these payouts are good enough to cover a quick taco stop.

There’s no fixed amount for everyone. The average payout is around $29, but some users report a top end of $38.36 — the highest you’ll see if you racked up points by sticking with Facebook through the entire May 2007 to December 2022 span. This isn’t unexpected though. The settlement plan was revealed earlier this month, and mentioned the amounts users would get as well as how they were calculated.

That said, others saw much less. Pearl Ann in the Couponing for Beginners Facebook group commented she got $9, while Annette Sanchez drew the short straw at $4. Reports from Lay Secondpage and Lauren Rector pegged their payouts a little higher, at $32 and $37 respectively.

Meanwhile, @boriskarloff34 on X was stoked to get $37.14, and @vivalaERIN clocked an even $38. Some, like @metadegringa, described a message from PayPal: “Your Facebook Consumer Privacy User Profile Litigation settlement payment is now available. Thank you.” 

So, how did the math work? It came down to “points” — one for every month your Facebook account was active during that 15-year eligibility period. If you signed up early and never looked back, you get a bigger chunk; joiners and quitters later on get a drizzle rather than a downpour. There’s a small legion of people still in limbo, waiting for second emails or hoping for payments to hit their accounts soon. Kristin Durbin in the coupon group vented that her first email came weeks ago, and she’s still watching for the follow-up.

Don’t forget, this $725 million settlement got split between nearly 28 million successful claimants. Even in the biggest Facebook groups, you’ll see a mix of excitement and a few wisecracks — Janine Adelaja said she selected PayPal and got the magical $38, while Regina Lovitt described her payout as a ‘lil stipend’ for her troubles. Over at Uber/Lyft drivers, someone joked about not spending it all in one place.

So, whether your inbox pinged with $38 or $4, you’re officially part of a legal event around a decade in the making. You probably won’t remember what you bought, but you’ll always remember the day Facebook added “settlement payout” to your transaction history.