[Updated] Snapchat privacy lawsuit settlement: $16.35 payout begins crediting; low compensation amount leaves many complaining
New updates are being added at the bottom of this story…….
Original story (published on January 24, 2023) follows:
Snapchat is one of the most popular messaging apps. However, it seems that they have not complied with all laws in some territories, for which they have been fined a total of $35 million.
The lawsuit in question is related to the filters or ‘Lenses’ offered by the platform. It appears that its operation did not comply with Illinois data collection and personal privacy policies.
Similar to the Plaid Inc. case, part of the fine will be shared among eligible users. However, it seems that the Snapchat total payment per person is too low, according to reports.
Snapchat privacy lawsuit settlement, $16.35 payout leaving people disappointed
According to multiple eligible users, they are getting a payout notification totaling $16.35.

snapchat settlement money just dropped, bank balance went up to $16 😜😜😎🥳🥳🥳
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Chicago, did y’all get y’all $16.35 settlement check from Snapchat? 🥴
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That said, the amount paid is raising a lot of complaints. After all, Snapchat could have potentially put the privacy of its users at risk and paying just $16.35 seems like a very low compensation for that.

@Snapchat settlement payment just was direct deposited. Steal my photos/videos, watch/listen to me talk on my phone. $16.37 was amount paid … Can you believe that? You violate my privacy, spy on me, are found guilty in court … and you payout $16.37 ???
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It was for the Snapchat privacy lawsuit thingy and you got to sign a settlement for money like the McDonald’s or Facebook payout. I got $300 from McDonald’s and Snapchat gave everyone $16.35😂
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The amount seems even more insufficient considering that other companies like Facebook have had to pay up to $397 per user due to lawsuits settlement related to data privacy.
The requirements to be eligible
To be eligible to receive the payment, there are a few requirements you must meet:
– Be an Illinois resident – Have used Snapchat Lenses or Filters offered between November 17 (2015) and November 5 (2022) – Submit a completed Claim Form to receive a payment (deadline ended November 5, 2022)
If you met these requirements before the deadline, you should soon receive a payout notification.
We will update this story if new relevant developments emerge in the future.
Update 1 (January 25, 2023)
02:20 pm (IST): While the majority of the users seem to have received a $16 payout, some folks (1,2,3) received a $25 or $26 settlement for some unknown reason.
my $25 snapchat settlement coming in soon 🤑 big ballinnnn
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