Closed to new claimsPrivacyAARP $12.5 Million Facebook Video Privacy Settlement: Payout Status
Last updated: July 13, 2026
AARP agreed to pay $12.5 million to settle a class action alleging it violated the federal Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA) by using the Meta Pixel — a tracking tool from Facebook's parent company, Meta — to share members' identities and video-viewing activity on AARP.org with Facebook. The claim deadline has passed — it closed on December 31, 2025 — so new claims are no longer accepted. The court granted final approval on February 20, 2026, and payments to valid claimants, estimated between $47 and $237, were issued on April 13, 2026.
The settlement, Markels et al. v. AARP, covers people who, between September 27, 2020 and September 12, 2025, requested or obtained video content on AARP.org while in the United States and, at that time, had a Facebook account and were an AARP member or a registered user of AARP.org. AARP denied wrongdoing but agreed to the settlement and to limit the Meta Pixel's operation on certain video pages. Class members who filed a valid claim chose a payment method — PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, ACH, or paper check — with electronic payments and checks distributed in spring 2026.
Key facts
- Settlement fund
- $12,500,000
- Estimated payout
- $47 – $237
- Claim deadline
- Closed — December 31, 2025
- Final approval
- February 20, 2026
- Payments issued
- April 13, 2026
- Class period
- Sept 27, 2020 – Sept 12, 2025
- Law at issue
- Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA)
- Case
- Markels et al. v. AARP
Official settlement administrator: aarpsettlement.com
Who qualifies
- Between September 27, 2020 and September 12, 2025, you requested or obtained video content on AARP.org while physically in the United States.
- At that time, you had a Facebook account.
- At that time, you were an AARP member or a registered user of AARP.org.
- The claim window is closed — members who filed by December 31, 2025 were paid an estimated $47 to $237.
AARP video privacy settlement payout status — what happens now
- 1
The claim deadline has passed
The window to file closed on December 31, 2025. New claims are no longer accepted and the deadline cannot be reopened.
- 2
Final approval was granted February 20, 2026
The court held its final approval hearing on February 10, 2026 and granted final approval on February 20, 2026, clearing the way for payments to valid claimants.
- 3
How to check your AARP settlement payment
Payments were issued on April 13, 2026 through each claimant's chosen method — PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, ACH, or paper check. Electronic payments and paper checks had to be claimed or cashed within set windows in 2026. Check your status at the official administrator site, aarpsettlement.com.
- 4
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Frequently asked questions
When will I get my AARP settlement payment?
Payments to valid claimants were issued on April 13, 2026, after final approval on February 20, 2026. Amounts went out through each person's chosen method (PayPal, Zelle, Venmo, ACH, or paper check). If you filed, check your status at aarpsettlement.com.
How much was the AARP Facebook settlement payout?
Class counsel estimated each valid claim would be worth between $47 and $237. The exact amount depended on the total number of valid claims filed against the $12.5 million fund.
Who qualified for the AARP video privacy settlement?
People who, between September 27, 2020 and September 12, 2025, requested or obtained video content on AARP.org while in the United States and, at that time, had a Facebook account and were an AARP member or a registered user of AARP.org.
Is the AARP settlement still open?
No. The claim deadline closed on December 31, 2025, and new claims are no longer accepted. The settlement received final approval on February 20, 2026 and payments were issued on April 13, 2026.
What was the AARP Facebook lawsuit about?
The class action, Markels et al. v. AARP, alleged that AARP used the Meta Pixel to share members' identities and video-viewing activity on AARP.org with Facebook, violating the federal Video Privacy Protection Act. AARP denied wrongdoing but agreed to a $12.5 million settlement.
What is the Video Privacy Protection Act (VPPA)?
The Video Privacy Protection Act is a 1988 federal law that restricts companies from sharing a consumer's video-viewing records without consent. Recent lawsuits, including this one against AARP, have applied it to online video and website tracking tools like the Meta Pixel.
How do I check my AARP settlement status?
Track your claim on the official settlement site, aarpsettlement.com, which lists the administrator's contact details and payment timeline.
