Not a Facebook user? They’ve got a file on you
THE Australian Communications and Media Authority says “non-users” of Facebook may not be safe from the harvesting of their private data and it is urging “further examination” of the threat.
ACMA’s concern is arguably the most explosive revelation in the 57 submissions to an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission digital platforms inquiry made public yesterday.
It comes after Facebook founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg last month confirmed in testimony before the US Senate that “we collect data on people who have not signed up for Facebook”.
The inquiry is examining how Facebook, Google and Twitter use and misuse consumers’ personal information, plus the impact of algorithms on news diversity and quality.
It is also examining how the reduction in traditional media companies’ advertising revenue is affecting journalism in Australia.
Some submissions said the future of the traditional media was in jeopardy.
Seven West Media (SWM) said its “ability to maintain viability across all of its media platforms ... is becoming challenging”.
News Corp Australia, publisher of the Gold Coast Bulletin, said digital platforms were “subverting access to online revenue streams” from subscriptions and advertising “which is undermining the sustainability of news and journalism as a private enterprise, leading to widespread costcutting in newsrooms and reduced incentives to invest in quality journalism”.
News also noted the growth in the “rapid spread of misinformation, as there is less oversight and fact-checking of information published and disseminated on digital platforms”.
SWM said “regulators need to do more to investigate and shine a light on the behaviour of (Facebook and Google) in data collection.”
News said “digital platforms do not appear to have appropriate safeguards to prevent the misuse or even theft of user data”.
Changes to laws, regulations or policies may be “required to address the negative impacts of the platforms on news and journalism”, it said.
ACMA said privacy was a “central issue” in any review of digital platforms.
The platforms needed to needed to provide terms and conditions which transparently explained the way they collect, use and store user data.
“For those users who do not accept the terms offered, there may be only one choice available to them – to discontinue using the platform,” ACMA said.
“However, the potential for platforms to harvest data about non-users has been speculated upon and requires further examination”.
Facebook and Google made their inquiry submissions public well prior to the ACCC’s official release of stakeholder views today.