If you ever watched a video on AARP.org using your Facebook account, you could receive up to 237 dollars. Yes, really. The AARP Administration (the largest retiree association in the U.S.) has reached a 12.5 million dollar settlement with Facebook (Meta) after being sued for sharing users’ personal data without their consent. Apparently, AARP allowed Facebook to track the videos viewed on its website. And no, that’s not legal.
Although AARP denies having done anything illegal, of course, it conveniently agreed to pay to close the case and avoid a much longer (and more public) process.
What really happened
The case is called Markels et al. v. AARP and was filed in the Northern District Court of California.
The lawsuit accuses AARP of violating the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by allowing Facebook to receive information about users’ viewing habits. Each time someone played a video on AARP.org, the information (title, date, and other data) could automatically be sent to Facebook.
Of course, AARP denies knowingly sharing that data, but since they needed to protect their reputation, they agreed to pay, money for the users!
Who can claim the money
You’ll need to meet a few requirements, good luck!
- Live in the United States.
- Have visited AARP.org between September 27, 2020, and September 12, 2025.
- Have watched or requested videos on the site during that time.
- Have an active Facebook account at that time.
- Be registered as a user or member of AARP.org.
How much you could receive
The total amount will be divided among everyone who submits a valid claim and meets all requirements. After deducting legal and other administrative expenses, it’s estimated that each user could receive between 47 and 237 dollars (depending on how many people file a claim, of course). Payments are expected to begin around February 10, 2026, which is when the court’s final approval is scheduled.
How to file the claim
Go to www.aarpsettlement.com, and make sure it’s the official site, please, we don’t want to get into another mess.
Complete the form with your information and your Facebook link to confirm you meet the requirements.
Check that the information is correct. You’ll receive a confirmation email and can track the status of your claim.
Remember, the deadline to file is December 31, don’t let it pass!
Why is this important?
Because large organizations should protect their users’ personal data, and if they fail to do so, they must be held accountable. The privacy of every individual should be their top priority, yet it’s often the first thing they neglect.
At this point, it’s not even about the money, it’s about them taking responsibility and realizing that their most valuable asset is their users.
Key dates
- Claim deadline: December 31, 2025.
- Final court approval: February 10, 2026.
- Estimated payment: between 47 and 237 dollars per person.
- Official site: www.aarpsettlement.com
Digital privacy
It’s clear that our data (and its misuse) is worth money. Every click you make online or every video you share (yes, even those of cats in Halloween costumes) has great value for digital platforms. That’s why using it without permission is more than enough reason to claim what’s yours.