In the small hours of Thursday, October 27, 2022, numerous TikTok users took to Twitter to report having received an email regarding an approved real data privacy settlement
The figure most users claim to have received is $27.84, although some say they have received a larger amount. Naturally, people are suspicious of emails promising them funds.
Many have aired their thoughts on Twitter, seeking confirmation that the TikTok data privacy settlement is real and that the email they have received is legitimate.
If you’ve used TikTok — or its predecessor Musical.ly — before Oct. 1, you may be eligible for compensation as part of a $92 million settlement against the app.
TikTok users received a notification from the app Monday about submitting a claim for compensation. Some expressed confusion on social media and questioned whether the notification was part of a larger scam.
The settlement is real. TikTok parent company ByteDance agreed in February to pay $92 million as part of a class-action payout to settle allegations of harvesting personal data from users without their consent.
As part of the settlement, which affects an estimated 89 million TikTok users, the company would have to change and disclose its data collection practices.
What Is This Lawsuit
The settlement is the result of an amalgamation of 21 lawsuits, many of which were filed on behalf of minors.
Documents filed in the U.S. District Court in Illinois allege that TikTok uses a “complex system of artificial intelligence to recognize facial features in users’ videos,” and it also analyzes faces to “determine the user’s age, race/ethnicity, and gender … to recommend content and profiles for the user to follow.”
“By utilizing this private and biometric information,” the suit continues, “TikTok maintains a competitive advantage over other social media apps and profits from its user of improperly obtained data, all while failing to comply with the minimum requirements for handling users’ biometric data established by BIPA.”
The plaintiffs allege that TikTok violated the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA), which guarantees individuals the right to take action against companies that collect biometric data without consent. Under BIPA, companies can’t use facial recognition to identify users or add them to a database of “faceprints” without explicit permission, according to the Cardozo School of Law’s journal, the Cardozo Law Review.
Illinois is the only state that allows people to sue companies for violating biometric privacy laws.
The suit also claims that TikTok mined user information from draft videos that were never posted.
TikTok has denied all allegations, but settled for the payout to prevent the case from going to trial.
“While we disagree with the assertions, rather than go through lengthy litigation, we’d like to focus our efforts on building a safe and joyful experience for the TikTok community,” the company said in a statement following the February settlement agreement.
What Settlement Are We Talking About?
Well, last year the company notified users that they could submit a claim for a settlement due to a class action lawsuit.
A year later, it seems TikTok has finally begun releasing the settlement as many users who submitted the claim successfully have received the settlement money.
Everyone check your emails for the TikTok settlement check I just got $27 (Source)
Shoutout to that TikTok data privacy settlement payment coming in the day before I leave for AWA (Source)
Some users have reportedly received a payment of $27.84 while other individuals have received $167.04 instead.
The reason behind the discrepancy is currently unclear to us. However, we’ll post an update if and when there’s any official word on the matter.
Who Is Eligible Fpr Thie Settlement? How Much A Person Get?
Though parent company ByteDance is set to pay a hefty settlement, individuals likely won’t walk away with that much.
U.S. residents who used TikTok before Oct. 1 are eligible to submit a claim. However, Illinois residents are eligible for a larger share of the settlement pool.
Each individual is eligible for one share of the divided settlement. Illinois residents can receive six shares of the divided payments. Parents can submit claims on behalf of their minor children.
After attorney fees, which are “not to exceed 33.33 percent” of the fund, if everyone eligible submits a claim, most will only receive about $0.96. Illinois residents can get up to $5.75. But the filed documents note the claim rate will affect individual payouts. If only 1.5 percent of eligible TikTok users submit a claim, then Illinois residents can receive $383.33 and non-Illinois residents can receive $63.89.
If 20 percent of eligible users submit a claim, then Illinois residents can receive $28.75 and non-Illinois residents can receive $4.79.
How Can You Submit A Claim?
To submit a claim, visit http://www.titokdataprivacysettlement.com
Claims must be submitted by Mar. 1, 2022.
Settlement class members can also object to the settlement by writing a letter to the court by Jan, 31, 2022.
Payments will only be made after the court grants final approval of the settlement during a hearing scheduled for May 18, 2022. If the court approves it, then payments will be made electronically via PayPal, Venmo or prepaid Mastercard.