Facebook Faces a $90 Million Fine for a Decade‑Old Privacy Debacle
That’s right—Meta’s big brother‑company is finally paying up for snooping around in users’ digital footprints, even after they “logged out.”
The Deal
- Facebook agreed to pay $90 million (about S$121 million) to settle a lawsuit that dates back to 2010.
- The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California after a Supreme Court rejection.
- More than just money—Facebook must delete the improperly acquired data.
What Went Wrong?
The plaintiffs accused Meta of violating federal and state privacy statutes by embedding little tracking cookies on non‑Facebook sites that displayed the “Like” button. Those cookies secretly logged visitors’ web‑browsing habits and stuffed that info into seller‑friendly profiles, which the company sold to advertisers.
History of the Legal Saga
- 2017: The lawsuit was dismissed.
- 2020: An appeals court revived the case, stating users could prove Meta profited illegally.
- Subsequent attempts to bring the matter to the Supreme Court fell flat.
Facebook’s Response
Despite denying wrongdoing, Meta opted for settlement. “Settling is in the best interest of our community and shareholders. We’re glad to move past this issue,” a spokesperson told the press.
Who Gets Paid?
The settlement covers U.S. Facebook users who visited certain non‑Facebook sites between April 22, 2010 and September 26, 2011. Plaintiffs’ lawyers are seeking up to 29 % of the settlement—roughly $26.1 million—for legal fees.
Other Privacy Scratches
Facebook hasn’t been alone on the compliance radar. In 2019, it faced a $5 billion FTC fine for privacy violations. And this week, Texas’ attorney general sued Meta over unconsented facial‑recognition data collection.
All in all, the social media giant hit the self‑paying hit list—proof that even a tech titan can’t escape the law’s reach.
