Facebook boss Zuckerberg admits mistakes over data scandal

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has admitted mistakes and outlined steps to protect user data in light of a privacy scandal involving a data mining firm.

Mr Zuckerberg said that Facebook has a “responsibility” to protect its users’ data and if it fails, “we don’t deserve to serve you”.

The social media giant has already taken the most important steps to prevent such a situation from happening again, Mr Zuckerberg said.

For example, in 2014, it reduced access outside apps had to user data. However, some of the measures did not take effect until a year later, allowing Cambridge to access the data in the intervening months.

Mr Zuckerberg acknowledges that there is more the company needs to do.

In a Facebook post yesterday, Mr Zuckerberg said it will ban developers who do not agree to an audit.

An app’s developer will no longer have access to data from people who have not used that app in three months.

Data will also be generally limited to user names, profile photos and email, unless the develop signs a contract with Facebook and gets user approval.

Earlier yesterday, academic Alexandr Kogan who developed the app used by Cambridge Analytica to harvest data said that he had no idea his work would be used in Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign.