Facebook Message-Scanning Deal Gets 9th Cir. Green Light

Facebook Inc.’s no-fault settlement over the social media giant’s data-collection practices involving links found in user’s private messages was affirmed on Tuesday by the Ninth Circuit, over an objector’s argument that the deal was worthless.

The Facebook deal, which included injunctive relief as well as $3.89 million in costs and attorneys’ fees, received final federal court approval in August 2017. The settlement stemmed from a lawsuit alleging Facebook scanned its users’ messages and used links found in them without consent.

Anna St. John, an objecting class member, appealed from the district court’s approval of the settlement, under which Facebook agreed ...