Texas Meta lawsuit settlement yields the largest privacy fine ever

The recent Texas Meta lawsuit settlement has sent ripples through the tech industry, highlighting the growing importance of data privacy and the consequences of mishandling user information.

The landmark case has brought attention to the ways in which major tech companies collect and use personal data, particularly biometric information.

The roots of Texas Meta lawsuit settlement

The Texas Meta lawsuit settlement revolves around allegations that Meta, formerly known as Facebook, violated Texas law by collecting and using biometric data without proper consent. The settlement, amounting to $1.4 billion, marks a massive victory for the state of Texas and sets a precedent for future privacy-related lawsuits.

The main issue in the Texas Meta lawsuit settlement was Meta’s “tag suggestions” feature, which used facial recognition technology to identify people in uploaded photos.

The case focuses on Meta’s alleged violation of Texas law by collecting and using biometric data without proper consent (Image credit)

According to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, this feature was activated without adequately explaining how it worked or obtaining user consent. The lawsuit alleged that Meta’s actions violated Texas’ “Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier” Act, which prohibits the commercial use of biometric data without explicit permission.

The Texas Meta lawsuit settlement amount is particularly noteworthy, as it represents the largest sum ever obtained from an action brought by a single state. It surpasses even the $390 million settlement that a group of 40 states obtained from Google in late 2022, underscoring the gravity of the privacy violations in question.

What is a biometric identifier?

A biometric identifier is a unique biological characteristic used to identify an individual.

It’s a piece of data that comes from your body and is specific to you. This data is used to verify your identity.

Examples of biometric identifiers include:

• Fingerprint
• Facial features (Meta’s case)
• Iris or retina scan
• Voice pattern
• Hand geometry

These identifiers are captured and stored digitally, often in a secure database. When you need to verify your identity, a new biometric sample is taken and compared to the stored data. If there’s a match, your identity is verified.

How to claim Texas Meta lawsuit settlement

As of now, there is no specific information available about how to claim the Texas Meta lawsuit settlement.

The Texas Attorney General’s office announced the $1.4 billion settlement with Meta in July 2024, but details on how to claim a portion of the settlement or whether there will be an individual payment have not been released yet.

What to do next?

1. Stay informed: Keep an eye on news updates from the Texas Attorney General’s office and reputable news sources for information about the settlement distribution process.
2. Check official channels: Visit the Texas Attorney General’s website for any official announcements or updates regarding the settlement.
3. Be wary of scams: Be cautious of any emails, phone calls, or other communications claiming to offer information about the settlement. The Attorney General’s office will be the official source of information.

Once the details of the settlement distribution are released, we recommend following the instructions provided by the Texas Attorney General’s office carefully.

The Texas Attorney General’s office will provide official updates and instructions on the settlement distribution process (Image credit) How much will you get paid?

Unfortunately, there are no individual payouts from the Texas Meta lawsuit Settlement.

As of now, the $1.4 billion settlement between Texas and Meta is for the state, not individual users.

The funds will be used for various state purposes, such as:

• Legal fees: Covering the costs of the lawsuit.
• State programs: Potentially funding programs related to privacy or consumer protection.
• General fund: Contributing to the state’s overall budget.

While the settlement is a significant win for consumer privacy, it doesn’t mean direct financial compensation for affected individuals.

The Texas Meta lawsuit settlement may be just the beginning of a new era in data privacy enforcement. As more states and countries implement stricter privacy laws, tech companies will need to reevaluate their data collection practices and ensure they have robust consent mechanisms in place.

While Meta has not admitted wrongdoing as part of the settlement, the company has stated that it no longer uses its facial recognition system.

The change in policy suggests that the lawsuit and resulting settlement have already had a tangible impact on how Meta handles user data.

Featured image credit: Roman Martyniuk/Unsplash