Facebook suspends data firm

FACEBOOK has suspended analytics firm Crimson Hexagon while it investigates how it collects and shares data from the site and its Instagram platform.

The social media giant has been facing increased scrutiny over how third-party firms use its data since news broke in March that data firm CA improperly accessed user data.

The Wall Street Journal first reported that Facebook had suspended Boston-based Crimson Hexagon.

The newspaper said among the firm’s clients is a Russian nonprofit with ties to the Kremlin.

“We don’t allow developers to build surveillance tools using information from Facebook or Instagram,” said Ime Archibong, Facebook’s vice president of product partnerships.

“We take these allegations seriously, and we have suspended these apps while we investigate.”

Facebook said on Friday that Crimson Hexagon is cooperating and that so far its investigation has not found evidence that the firm obtained Facebook or Instagram information inappropriately.

Crimson Hexagon says on its website it has access to over one trillion consumer conversations from social media, forums, blogs and reviews.

In a blog posting, Crimson Hexagon Chief Technology Officer Chris Bingham said the company “abides completely” by the rules social media sites including Twitter and Facebook put in place to limit the ways third-party companies can use their data.