SAN FRANCISCO A federal judge threw out a proposed settlement between Facebook and its users over claims that the social networking giant illegally sold ads containing users’ likenesses, citing problems with a plan for Facebook to donate $10 million to Internet privacy causes as well as pay $10 million in attorneys fees.
In an 8-page order signed Friday, U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg rejected the deal without prejudice, writing that the plaintiffs failed to point to a sufficient reason for making donations to charities rather than direct payments to up to 100 million class members.
