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FACEBOOK WAS PUT ON THE DEFENSIVE yet again last week after an investigation of data firm Cambridge Analytica revealed that personal data from more than 50 million of its users had been left unprotected. In the wake of all the criticism of the social network in recent months over fake news, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has still more explaining to do, but this time a corporate statement or two may not suffice. Several Senate committees are calling on him to testify on Capitol Hill, raising the specter that tech companies could face regulation.
While a research professor was authorized to access the personal information in question, Facebook did not permit that data to be passed onto Cambridge Analytica, a company that focuses on influencing political beliefs through targeted promotions. The controversy is expected to shed light beyond just Facebook regarding the online political advertising market, which Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA.), likened to the Wild West.