Suspended Cambridge Analytica boss called to appear before MPS

The suspended boss of Cambridge Analytica (CA) has been called to appear before MPS to explain “inconsistencies” in his evidence about the firm’s use of Facebook data.

Alexander Nix has been asked to attend another grilling by the digital, culture, media and sport committee.

Meanwhile, Culture Secretary Matt Hancock said the revelations about Facebook and CA marked a “turning point” in people’s attitudes to their online data.

The Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary said new 0 Alexander Nix: Asked to appear in front of committee measures coming into force in May could leave Facebook facing a fine of more than £1 billion if it breached data laws, and promised the Information Commissioner would also be given beefed-up powers.

But the data watchdog has yet to be granted a warrant to search CA’S computers as part of its current investigation and Mr Hancock acknowledged that the “system isn’t good enough” at present.

Facebook’s boss Mark Zuckerberg said it was a mistake to rely on CA to delete tens of millions of Facebook users’ data, as he apologised for the “major breach of trust”.

Mr Zuckerberg said the political consultancy had provided formal assurances that information harvested from 50 million profiles had been destroyed after Facebook first learned of the breach in 2015.