Facebook data leak: Warning two years ago
FACEBOOK was warned its data was at risk two years before the details of some 50 million users were secretly grabbed, it has emerged.
A watchdog told the social media giant it was not good enough to rely on app developers to follow information rules.
A 2011 audit by Ireland’s Data Protection Commissioner said Facebook’s security measures were “not considered sufficient”.
Yet in 2013, researcher Aleksandr Kogan is alleged to have collected data from 50 million users using a quiz app before passing it on to consultancy Cambridge Analytica.
There are fears the information may have been used in political campaigns, possibly even helping to elect Donald Trump in America. Facebook and CA deny doing anything wrong. The revelation emerged as Facebook printed full-page apologies from founder Mark Zuckerberg in UK newspapers. The billionaire said they had stopped apps like Dr Kogan’s from accessing so much info and promised to “do better”. Mr Zuckerberg said he was “really sorry” for the “major breach of trust”, adding: “We have a responsibility to protect your information. If we can’t, we don’t deserve it.” He has been asked to appear before MPs and has a deadline to respond by today. Facebook had told the DPC it had “proactive auditing and automated tools” to prevent abuse.