


Illinois residents have a chance to file a claim for the state's $68 million class-action lawsuit against Instagram if they used the platform over the past eight years.
The state alleges that Meta, the umbrella company of Facebook and Instagram, violated Illinois's Biometric Information Privacy Act by "collecting and storing biometric identifiers and/or biometric information," such as physical characteristics, that can be used to identify people.
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Despite Meta denying the allegations, the company agreed to reach a settlement with the state.
The settlement affects all individuals who used Instagram while in Illinois at any time between Aug. 10, 2015, and Aug. 16, 2023. The settlement administrator said the payout includes both minors and adults.
Once approved, the settlement fund will be worth $68.5 million, which will pay for all settlement payments, settlement administration expenses, taxes and tax expenses, service awards to class representatives, and fee awards to class counsel.
Illinois residents have until Sept. 27 to file a claim and receive a portion of the $68.5 million settlement.
Those who wished to be exempt from the terms of the settlement had to file a letter by Aug. 16, 2023. Those who wanted to stay in the settlement class but wanted to object to the settlement or the payouts needed to file an objection by Aug. 16 as well.
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The final approval hearing for the settlement is scheduled for Oct. 11. A court decision will be released at a pending date after the hearing, and payments will be distributed to those who submitted a claim.
Those who are eligible can file a claim at instagrambipasettlement.com.