Meta has agreed to pay $50 million to Australian Facebook users impacted by the Cambridge Analytica matter more than 10 years ago.
Australian Information Commissioner Elizabeth Tydd said the $50 million payment program was part of an enforceable undertaking (EU) received from Meta to settle Federal Court civil penalty proceedings, which started in March, 2020.
Ms Tydd said it was alleged that from late 2013 the personal information of some Australian Facebook users was disclosed to the This is Your Digital Life app in breach of Australia’s Privacy Act.
She said there was a risk the information could have be disclosed to Cambridge Analytica and other third parties and potentially used for political profiling purposes.
“Today’s settlement represents the largest ever payment dedicated to addressing concerns about the privacy of individuals in Australia.
“It represents a substantive resolution of privacy concerns raised by the Cambridge Analytica matter, gives potentially affected Australians an opportunity to seek redress through Meta’s payment program, and brings to an end a lengthy court process.”
Ms Tydd said the EU required Meta to set up a payment scheme which will be open to individuals who:
- Held a Facebook Account between November 2, 2013 and December 17, 2015.
- Were present in Australia for more than 30 days during that period.
- Either installed the This is Your Digital Life app or were Facebook friends with an individual who installed the app.
She said it was anticipated individuals could start applying to the payment program in the second quarter of 2025.
“The payment scheme is a significant amount that demonstrates that all entities operating in Australia must be transparent and accountable in the way they handle personal information, in accordance with their obligations under Australian privacy law, and give users reasonable choice and control about how their personal information is used.”
Read the enforceable undertaking.
Details of payment scheme
- Funds of $50 million will be available.
- Individuals can apply for a base payment based on generalised concern or embarrassment, or an alternative amount if they can demonstrate specific loss or damage.
- The third-party administrator will take reasonable steps to publicise the payment scheme.
- Meta is required to make reasonable best efforts to notify those who are potentially impacted.
- The payment scheme will be administered by a third-party administrator to be appointed by Meta. Payment is required to be made in a timely manner.
- Details for accessing the payment scheme will be made public by the administrator in the second quarter of 2025.
