Facebook alerts 87m users of data breach

BERLIN: Facebook started informing its users on Monday if their information “may have been” improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica, a consultancy suspected of improperly using the data of as many as 87 million people.

In a statement, Facebook said that most of the people affected were based in the US (70.6 million).

Up to 2.7 million Facebook users in the EU were affected, with another 2 million affected in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Other countries affected include Mexico, Canada, India, Brazil, Vietnam and Australia, Facebook said.

In a further effort to improve transparency after the scandal, Facebook will send all 2.2 billion of its users a notice that will allow them to see what apps they use and what data they are sharing with those apps.

The company said this will allow people to shut off the apps completely or turn off third-party access to the apps.

Cambridge Analytica is at the centre of a debate over whether it used the personal data of millions to influence the outcome of the 2016 US presidential election and the Brexit referendum.

“I started Facebook, and at the end of the day I’m responsible for what happens on our platform,” Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said.

“I’m serious about doing what it takes to protect our community.”

Zuckerberg is set to testify before US lawmakers this week.

Indonesian police said on Monday they want to question Facebook officials.

“We are looking to summon Facebook next week,” national police spokesman Setyo Wasisto said.

Indonesian communications minister Rudiantara said last week that he would not hesitate to shut down Facebook if it was found guilty of breaching the country’s laws on data. – dpa