Facebook on fire over handling of users’ data breach by Cambridge Analytica

The development comes after it emerged that Trump campaign used data from Cambridge Analytica for targeted political ads.

Back in 2015, Cambridge Analytica got permission from some Facebook users to access their private data through an app tied to the firm via Facebook’s login feature. The firm collected info on not just those users, but their ‘friends’ who hadn’t given permission. About 50 million people had their data swiped.

The practice used to be allowed, that is until Facebook changed its rules. And says Cambridge promised in 2015 that the data would be deleted. Surprise: it wasn’t. And Cambridge used the info for targeted political ads.

Because apparently, Facebook knew about this but didn’t really do that much about it until last week when it kicked Cambridge Analytics off its platform, the firm seems to be in some deep trouble, so the  FTC’s getting involved.

So, officials of the giant tech company are expected to meet with lawmakers in Washington to talk over this matter. And eventually, they’re hoping to hear from Zuck himself, who hasn’t said anything at all, yet. Also, Cambridge Analytica’s CEO was suspended after he was caught on tape talking about entrapping politicians with bribes and sex.

Meanwhile, Facebook is experiencing some bad time at the stock market and a group of investors are suing. Happy news? Nah.

This report is partly sourced from The Skimm.