Last year, four NASA volunteers entered a Mars simulation in Houston. They just came out out isolation. Dr. Nathan Jones, the Crew Medical Officer of the mission, tells us what it was like. Plus, how to claim your Cash App settlement, and a Facebook missing person scam.
Facebook may owe you money — here's how to claim it
Last year, Facebook settled a $650 million lawsuit with Illinois residents for storing and collecting their biometric data without consent. Here’s how much money people received.
The social media juggernaut just agreed to another settlement. This one’s for $725 million following numerous lawsuits claiming the platform violated users’ privacy. Here’s what you need to know and how to get paid.
What Facebook did wrong (no surprises here)
The lawsuits allege that Facebook shared user data and data on their friends with third parties, including app developers, business partners, advertisers and data brokers. The company allegedly did this without permission and failed to monitor or enforce how third parties accessed the data or what they did with it.
How much can you get paid?
That depends on a couple of things: How many people submit claims and how long you had an account on the platform. The settlement will distribute “points” for every month you had an account between May 24, 2007, and Dec. 22, 2022, and split the money (after lawyers’ fees, of course) based on those numbers.
Plaintiffs’ lawyers said about 250 million to 280 million people might be eligible for payments as part of the class action settlement. Don’t expect a financial windfall.
How to sign up
You must submit a claim by Aug. 25, 2023, to receive a payment from the settlement. This form takes just a couple of minutes to fill out.
If you had a Facebook account during the effective dates of the lawsuit, you are automatically part of the settlement. If you do nothing, you will not get paid and give up the right to sue, continue to sue, or be part of another lawsuit against Facebook related to these legal claims.
You can also opt out of the settlement if you want to sue Facebook yourself, or you can object to the settlement. To exclude yourself from the settlement, you may submit a completed and signed opt-out request online or by U.S. mail to this address.
Facebook’s deep pockets
Remember that bulky old TV you had in the '90s? You might be owed money
Most TVs in the ’90s and early ’00s used Cathode Ray Tubes (CRT), which gave them a prominent bulge at the back. But it wasn’t just TVs, as many computer monitors used the same technology. This technology is back in the news for all the wrong reasons.
Sea ya later: Royal Caribbean is facing a class-action lawsuit after nearly 1,000 passengers were filmed secretly in a bathroom. It happened this past February on the Symphony of the Seas. This sicko uploaded images to the Dark Web and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. I hope he drops the soap.
$245 million
Epic Games’ major settlement for Fortnite players. The FTC says a confusing button layout tricked players into making accidental purchases. They’ve already sent 600,000 payments totaling $72 million. You have until Jan. 10 to file a claim.
Kia might owe you money - Here's how to check
Vehicle manufacturer Kia is in damage control mode, and you could be in line for money if you drive a specific model. Hyundai and Kia recently rolled out an anti-theft software patch for about 8 million models.
However, the possible compensation has nothing to do with car thefts. Instead, Kia has agreed to a class-action lawsuit settlement related to anti-lock brake systems (ABS).
If you bought one of these defective laptops, Apple might owe you money
Consumer products and vehicles get recalled often, but it’s rare to get anything of value in return. When a car has a defective component, manufacturers usually repair it for free. Tap or click here for details on 160K vehicles recently recalled.
Juul payout: Folks who bought Juul vaping products are getting huge payouts from the $300 million class-action settlement — someone even received over $9,000. The company was sued after its customers claimed they were misled about how addictive Juul’s products were. If you put in a claim, check your Venmo.
23andMe class-action lawsuit: Hackers stole the personal info of 6.9 million customers in 2023, and 23andMe is now paying out a $30 million settlement. We’re talking up to $10,000 per person if you’ve faced identity fraud or other big issues related to the breach. The settlement still needs final approval, but when it happens, you can count on me to give you the link to apply.
🤑 Apple payout: Payments are on the way for anyone stuck with the defective MacBook butterfly keyboard available from 2015 to 2019. Payouts range from $50 to $395. Check your mailbox if you submitted your info for the settlement.
Check your inbox: If you’ve ever used the mental health platform BetterHelp, you may be one of the 800,000 folks now eligible for part of a $7.8 million settlement. To check, search for an email from “Ankura Consulting Group.” The FTC says BetterHelp shared consumer health data with third parties for advertising. Questions? Email info@betterhelprefundprogram.com.
If your business accepted Visa and Mastercard between Jan. 1, 2004, and Jan. 25, 2019, you might be eligible for part of a $5.5 billion settlement. It stems from excessive transaction fees, and businesses that have since closed or gone bankrupt can still qualify. File your claim here before May 31. I did.
If you have a Ring doorbell, check your PayPal account: Amazon’s Ring is coughing up a $5.6 million settlement. A May 2023 FTC complaint accused the doorbell cam giant of skimping on security, which allowed hackers and Ring’s own employees to access private video feeds and accounts. If you filled out a claim, you have 30 days to collect it.
Google will destroy billions of Incognito mode data
They said the data was impossible to find … until a judge ruled on a class-action settlement. Plus, we talk with Guy Kawasaki, Apple’s first Mac marketer, about his book “Think Remarkable” and becoming remarkable yourself!
I was glad to see this: eBay is paying a $59 million settlement after the U.S. Department of Justice proved pill press machines were being sold on the site. Yep, those devices can make fake, maybe fentanyl-laced, pills. How eBay could let this crap be sold in the first place is beyond me. Shame on them.
Bathroom spy cams, Google product updates & GTA 6 fake downloads
Plus, Mitch from ScanMyPhotos fought credit card giants for 18 years and won. Small-biz owners, he’s got tips on claiming your share of a $5.5 billion settlement. Also, ChatGPT’s new quirk? It likes big “tips”! Google’s top travel spots, and how to check your phone’s real battery power.
Deepfake CEO scam, spot fake reviews & Marvel superhero workout app
Plus, misdial 911? Hold the phone – I’ll explain why it’s costly to hang up. Allie has ways to stake your claim in Facebook’s $725 million settlement, and don’t miss Matt’s ridiculous story about a naked Instagram cat. And there’s also a hilarious joke!
Google is paying out an $85M settlement - See if you qualify
Big Tech can make money by tracking your location history. Some companies are so hungry for that lucrative data that they’ll circumvent your privacy settings. Google is currently facing accusations of illegal location data tracking. In other words, certain Android users may have been tracked even after they opted out.
Facebook is mailing out $350 settlement checks - Can you expect one?
When a group of people suffers similar physical or financial injuries, and fault can be placed with one company, they can join together to file a claim. The class-action lawsuit may go to trial, but many are settled before it gets to that point. Awards are divided among members of the case.
Zoom class-action settlement: Claim your share today before it's too late
Zoom was one of the biggest apps that helped us through the pandemic. The video conference tool was essential for workplaces and schools across the country. But with popularity comes a hefty price — specifically $85 million in the form of a settlement.