Meta Platforms Begins Second Round of Privacy Settlement Payments
Meta Platforms 開始進行第二輪隱私和解金賠償
Introduction
Meta Platforms is starting a second round of payments to some users as part of a $725 million legal agreement regarding past data privacy issues.
Meta Platforms 正就早前的數據隱私問題，根據一份 7.25 億美元的法律協議，開始向部分用戶發放第二輪賠償金。
Main Body
The legal case began because Meta was accused of allowing third-party companies to access user data without permission between 2007 and 2022, specifically mentioning the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Although Meta denied that it did anything wrong, a federal judge approved the settlement in October 2023. After two appeals were finished in May 2025, the first set of payments started in September 2025.
此法律案件始於 Meta 被指在 2007 年至 2022 年間，在未經許可的情況下允許第三方公司訪問用戶數據，特別提及了 Cambridge Analytica 醜聞。雖然 Meta 否認有任何不當行為，但聯邦法官於 2023 年 10 月批准了該和解方案。在 2025 年 5 月完成兩次上訴後，第一批賠償金於 2025 年 9 月開始發放。
Many U.S. account holders were eligible for the settlement, but they had to submit a claim by August 25, 2023, to receive money. Out of 250 million eligible people, only about 19 million filed valid claims. Because some money was left over after the first payments, the court authorized a second distribution on May 6, 2026. This new phase is only for people who already received their first payment, which averaged $30. These new payments are expected to be between $5 and $7.
許多美國帳戶持有者符合和解資格，但他們必須在 2023 年 8 月 25 日前提交申請才能領款。在 2.5 億名符合資格的人中，僅約 1,900 萬人提交了有效申請。由於第一輪發放後仍有餘額，法院於 2026 年 5 月 6 日授權進行第二次分發。此新階段僅限於已收到第一筆賠償（平均 30 美元）的人員。預計此次新賠償金額將在 5 至 7 美元之間。
The process is being managed by Angeion Group, LLC. The administrator emphasized that users should be careful of scams. They stated that official messages will never ask for Social Security numbers, government IDs, or administrative fees. Furthermore, the company clarified that they are no longer accepting new claims.
此過程由 Angeion Group, LLC 負責管理。管理員強調用戶應警惕詐騙。他們聲明官方訊息絕不會要求提供社會安全號碼、政府身分證或行政費用。此外，該公司明確表示已不再接受新申請。
Conclusion
The second payment phase started on June 9, 2026, and is expected to finish within four weeks.
第二輪賠償階段於 2026 年 6 月 9 日開始，預計將在四週內完成。
Vocabulary Learning
⚡ The 'B2 Shift': From Simple Facts to Complex Connections
An A2 student says: "Meta had a problem. They paid money. People were happy."
To reach B2, you must stop using short, choppy sentences. You need to use Connectors of Contrast and Concession. This allows you to show two opposite ideas in one sophisticated sentence.
🔍 The Golden Example
Look at this sentence from the text:
*"Although Meta denied that it did anything wrong, a federal judge approved the settlement..."
Why this is B2 level: The word "Although" acts as a bridge. It tells the reader: "I am about to give you a fact, but then I will give you a surprising opposite fact."
- Fact A: Meta said they were innocent.
- Fact B: The judge forced them to pay anyway.
🛠️ How to build your own 'B2 Bridges'
Instead of using But (which is A2), try these structures to sound more professional:
- Although + [Subject + Verb]
- Example: "Although the payment is small ($5), many people are happy to receive it."
- Despite + [Noun/Gerund]
- Example: "Despite the denial of wrongdoing, Meta paid $725 million."
- Furthermore (To add a strong point)
- Example: "The payments are small; furthermore, the process takes a long time."
💡 Pro-Tip for the Transition
Stop thinking in "dots" (sentence. sentence. sentence.) and start thinking in "waves" (Although X, Y; furthermore, Z). This change in rhythm is the fastest way to move from a basic speaker to a fluent, upper-intermediate communicator.