(CN) - A federal judge in San Jose, Calif., approved a $9.5 million consumer class action settlement against Facebook, stemming from its Beacon advertising program that the class claimed violated peoples' privacy.
The controversial program launched in November 2007 allowed Facebook members to view their friends' purchases at Internet retailers like Zappos, Overstock.com, Blockbuster and Hotwire.
The class comprised over 3.6 million Facebook users. U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg awarded lead plaintiff Sean Lane $10,000, while the other named representatives will receive amounts ranging from $1,000 to $5,000.
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