Facebook boss Marc Zuckerberg has acknowledged in a posting on his Facebook page that his company has made mistakes. For first time, he took a position on accusations that data from around 50 million users had been resold to analysis firm Cambridge Analytica without ir consent. Several parliaments had already asked him to explain mselves. In United States and United Kingdom, authorities also initiated investigations against company.
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“We are responsible for protecting your data and if we cannot, we do not deserve to serve you,” wrote Zuckerberg. The most important measures to prevent furr abuse have already been made in recent years, said Facebook chief. His company will take measures to better protect data of users in future. Soon, Zuckerberg will also be giving an interview on CNN.
Facebook had already “indignantly” on Tuesday about alleged use of user data by British company Cambridge Analytica for US campaign. The company said it had been “cheated”. A statement furr stated that company is committed to “rigorously implementing” its rules for protection of user data. All necessary steps would be taken. Previously, company had commissioned external experts to investigate data scandal.
The New York Times and Observer had reported on weekend that Cambridge Analytica was in possession of Facebook user data by means of an app developed by a psychologist. This data was n used by data analysis firm for development of software to predict and influence voter decisions. The software allowed to display political ads that were tailored to individual users and were refore particularly effective.
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The individual approach of voters on social networks was seen as one of keys to Donald Trump’s surprising election victory in November 2016. However, Cambridge Analytica denies having used data collected on Facebook for Trump campaign.
“Only limited steps to ensure data”
The British observer had furr reported that Facebook had already experienced massive exploitation of user data by Cambridge Analytica in year 2015. At time, company did not inform more than 50 million users concerned about it and also took “only limited steps” to retrieve and back up user data.
In United States, according to media reports, FTC’s commercial inspectorate has been investigating scandal. In States of New York and Massachusetts, public prosecutor’s offices shared request for information from Facebook in writing.
The British Data Protection Authority is also taking a closer look at behavior of Facebook. She is checking to see how Facebook complies with security measures required by law and wher company has “responded appropriately”, said government chief Elizabeth Denham. She also wants to obtain a search warrant against Cambridge Analytica.
European Parliament has “invited” Zuckerberg
In addition to investigation procedures, Facebook is also being put under pressure by parliamentary inquiries. Europe parlamentspräsident Antonio Tajani wrote in short news Twitter that Parliament had invited Group Chairman Zuckerberg. Facebook must “make it clear to representatives of 500 million Europeans that personal data is not used to manipulate democracy.”
In London, chairman of Subhouse Committee on Digital and Media, Damian Collins, declared that he had asked Zuckerberg in a letter to appear before panel. Members of US Senate also want to make statements to Facebook chief in ir chamber.
Meanwhile, Cambridge Analytica suspended his managing director Alexander Nix. He was relieved of his duties with immediate effect during a “fully comprehensive, independent investigation”, company shared. The suspension was not based on use of Facebook data, but on fact that in secretly recorded conversations by Channel 4, Nix had boasted of cheating on politicians.
