INSTAGRAM is giving Americans $30 checks from a $68.5 million settlement pot following claims it violated privacy laws.
The social media giant is said to have illegally collected user data in a specific US state.
Instagram is giving Americans $30 checks from a $68.5 million settlement pot following claims it violated privacy laws[/caption]
Instagram is one of the most used social media platforms in the world.
It allows people to post photos and videos of themselves, while providing them with access to a feed that shows what their friends and others are posting.
Now, the company is paying out a massive $68.5 million to settle claims that it violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act.
Plaintiffs allege that Instagram collected user biometric data like facial scans while failing to alert users to this or obtain consent.
Instagram has not admitted to any wrongdoing, but has agreed to pay out the multi-million-dollar settlement.
The settlement benefits those who used Instagram in the state of Illinois between August 10, 2015, and August 16, 2023.
Under the terms of the class action, claimants are eligible to receive an equal share of the settlement fund.
Top Class Actions readers report receiving payments of $32.56 from this settlement.
Payments are expected to continue to go out to those who are eligible.
The deadline to claim on this settlement ended on September 27, 2023.
MORE SETTLEMENTS
Payments are currently being given out as part of a settlement with Shutterfly.
Shutterfly is a company that sells photography products and custom prints.
Plaintiffs claim that Shutterfly advertized its products with prices that did not reflect the actual prices consumers were charged.
It is said these fake sale prices deceived customers and led them to purchase products they wouldn’t have purchased otherwise.
What’s a class-action settlement?
Class action lawsuits offer groups of people, or ‘classes,’ a way to band together in court.
These suits are often brought by one or a few people who allege a company or other entity has wronged a large group of people.
When a suit becomes a class action, it extends to all “class members,” or people who may have similar complaints to those who filed the suit.
Companies often settle class actions – offering payment to class members who typically waive their right to pursue further legal action by accepting money.
These payout agreements frequently include statements by the defendant denying wrongdoing. Companies tend to settle class actions to avoid the costs of further litigation.
Pollution, discrimination, or false advertising are a few examples of what can land a class action on a company’s doorstep.
This settlement benefits those who purchased one or more products advertised at a reference price from Shutterfly.
It specifically targets those who did so between April 1, 2018, and August 25, 2023.
Shutterfly has not admitted to any wrongdoing, but has agreed to compensate customers regardless.
Under the terms of the settlement, eligible claimants can receive vouchers worth up to $25.
Those who have already received them have said they got them via email.
The deadline to claim a voucher was set for February 5, 2024.
Instagram is paying out a massive $68.5 million to settle claims that it violated the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act[/caption]
