Facebook admits 87 mn users data could possibly have been shared
05 Apr 2018
Embroiled in a raging controversy after its user information ended with data firm Cambridge Analytica, Facebook has now come out with revised estimates of a maximum of 87 million user data possibly having been shared.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg told the media that 87 million would be the maximum number of people whose data was with Cambridge Analytica without their knowledge. The firm had been hired for Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in the US.
According to Facebook, the data had been collected, under accepted rules, by a professor for academic purposes. It was, however, transferred to other parties including Cambridge Analytica in violation of its policies.
But Zuckerberg’s estimate of 87 million was in conflict with what Cambridge Analytica maintains. According to the firm, it licensed data “for no more than 30 million people from Global Science Research (GSR), as is clearly stated in our contract with the research company.”
Caught in the embarrassing controversy, Facebook is now hastily carrying out changes in policies relating to the collection of information by third-party apps. They will now not be allowed to access personal information about users including their political views, religion, education, relationship status, and the kind of books they read or movies they watch.