Facebook settles suit over unsolicited text messages

The social networking site settled a suit that claimed it was sending out text messages to the former cellular phone numbers of Facebook users.

Lindsey Abrams of Patriot, Ind. claimed that she was receiving texts from the service, some with explicit content, and was being charged 10 cents each time. Facebook was said to receive a portion of that fee.

The problems began shortly after Abrams signed up for cellular service with Verizon in November 2006, and was issued a recycled phone number that at one time apparently belonged to a Facebook user.

As a result of the settlement, the company said it will change its practices to prevent the sending of text messages to phone numbers that had been recycled. The original suit had been filed in October of this year.

Although the exact number of messages sent to Abrams is not known, the suit said that "thousands" of such messages had been sent. It also claimed some of these texts ended up on phones used by children.

Facebook will make it easier to opt-out of such messages, and monitor more closely the lists of recycled phone numbers provided by carriers. It did not admit any wrongdoing in the settlement.

Abrams' legal fees will also be covered. A hearing on that matter has been scheduled for next year. Facebook declined to comment on the suit.