The Boone v. Snap settlement resolves a class action accusing Snap Inc. of collecting facial-geometry scans from Snapchat users through features like lenses and filters without the notices and written consent required by Illinois law. If you lived in Illinois while using those features, you may be part of the class and eligible to file a claim for a share of the settlement fund.
Who Qualifies as a Class Member
Eligibility turns on two things: where you lived and what you used. Because the case is built on the Illinois Biometric Information Privacy Act, the class is generally limited to people who resided in Illinois while using the app. Residency is not a technicality here. It is the reason the claim exists, since the protections being enforced are unique to Illinois.
The second piece is usage. The lawsuit targets users who interacted with Snapchat features involving facial scanning, such as certain lenses or filters that map the geometry of a user’s face. Meeting both the residency and the usage criteria is what puts a person inside the class.
What the Lawsuit Alleges Under BIPA
The Biometric Information Privacy Act, or BIPA, sets rules that private companies must follow before collecting biometric data from Illinois residents.1Illinois General Assembly. 740 ILCS 14/1 Scans of face geometry are biometric identifiers under the statute.2Illinois General Assembly. 740 ILCS 14/10
Before collecting that data, a company must give written notice that biometric information is being collected, disclose the specific purpose and how long it will be kept, and obtain a signed written release from the person. Companies must also publish a written retention and destruction policy.3Illinois General Assembly. 740 ILCS 14/15 – Section: (a) The Boone case alleges Snap fell short of these requirements when Snapchat features scanned users’ faces.
How to File a Claim
Filing runs through a settlement administrator who checks each submission against Snap’s user records. You will generally need to provide standard contact information along with details that identify your account, such as a Snapchat username or other account identifier that confirms you used the service during the covered period.
Some class members receive a notice containing a unique ID. If you got one, use it. It shortens verification and reduces the chance of a mismatch. Double-check every field before you submit, because errors are a common reason claims get delayed or denied. Once the administrator confirms your claim is valid, you become an authorized claimant entitled to a share of the fund.
When and How Payments Arrive
Payouts do not go out as claims come in. After the claim deadline closes, the administrator reviews every submission, weeds out duplicates, and confirms residency and usage. The total number of valid claims then determines how the fund is split.
Money can only be distributed after the court grants final approval of the settlement, which is the step where the judge confirms the agreement is fair and the process was followed. If someone appeals that decision, distribution is put on hold until the appeal is resolved.
When payments do go out, they are sent by the method you selected on the claim form, typically an electronic transfer or a mailed check. Plan on several months between the filing deadline and the arrival of funds. Following the administrator’s instructions closely, and keeping your contact and payment details current, is the most reliable way to make sure your payment reaches you.