In 2023, Instagram was sued in Illinois for allegedly violating the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). The lawsuit alleged that Instagram collected and stored users’ biometric data, such as their facial scans, without their consent. BIPA is one of the strictest biometric privacy laws in the United States, and it requires companies to obtain written consent from users before collecting or storing their biometric data.
What is the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA)?
BIPA is a law that protects the privacy of biometric data in Illinois. Biometric data is any unique physical or behavioral characteristic that can be used to identify an individual, such as fingerprints, facial scans, and voice prints. BIPA requires companies to obtain written consent from users before collecting or storing their biometric data, and it also requires companies to disclose how they are using and storing the data.
Why was Instagram sued for violating BIPA?
The lawsuit against Instagram alleges that the company collected and stored users’ biometric data without their consent. The lawsuit also alleges that Instagram did not disclose how it was using and storing the data. Instagram has denied any wrongdoing, but it has agreed to pay a $68.5 million settlement to resolve the lawsuit.
Who is eligible for a payout from the settlement?
Anyone who used Instagram while in Illinois between August 10, 2015, and August 16, 2023, may be eligible for a payout from the settlement. To be eligible, you must submit a claim form by September 27, 2023. You can submit a claim form online or by mail.
How much money can I expect to receive from the settlement?
The amount of money you receive from the settlement will depend on a number of factors, including how often you used Instagram and how much biometric data the company collected about you. The settlement administrator has estimated that most class members will receive between $25 and $400.
Conclusion
The Illinois Instagram privacy violation lawsuit is a reminder of the importance of protecting your biometric data. If you are concerned about how companies are using and storing your biometric data, you should read the company’s privacy policy and take steps to protect your data, such as using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication.
FAQs
Q: What is the deadline to submit a claim form?
A: The deadline to submit a claim form is September 27, 2023.
Q: How do I submit a claim form?
A: You can submit a claim form online or by mail. To submit a claim form online, visit the Instagram privacy settlement website. To submit a claim form by mail, print out the claim form from the website and mail it to the address on the form.
Q: How much money can I expect to receive from the settlement?
A: The amount of money you receive from the settlement will depend on a number of factors, including how often you used Instagram and how much biometric data the company collected about you. The settlement administrator has estimated that most class members will receive between $25 and $400.
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: If you have more questions about the Instagram privacy settlement, you can visit the settlement website or contact the settlement administrator at 1-800-720-4561.
References
- Instagram to Pay $68.5M in Class Action Settlement Over Biometric Data Privacy: https://www.classaction.org/biometric-privacy-lawsuits-facebook-instagram-oculus-whatsapp
- Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act: https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=3004&ChapterID=57
- Instagram Privacy Settlement: https://instagrambipasettlement.com/
