Facebook admits collecting data from non-users
Mark Zuckerberg also says his own information was handed over to Cambridge Analytica
Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has revealed that the social media platform collects data of internet users who have never signed up for the company’s services.
The admission came during his second and final day of testimony before US Congress, during which he said Facebook collected the data of non-users for “security reasons”.
In response to a question from congresswoman Anna Eshoo, Zuckerberg also revealed that his own data had been handed over to political consultancy Cambridge Analytica.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Zuckerberg also “declined to give a commitment to change all users’ default privacy settings” in order to minimise the amount of personal data being harvested by the company, the BBC reports.
Congressman David McKinley surprised the Facebook chief by showing him an image of advertisements for illegal drugs that he said had been available on the platform as recently as Tuesday.
“Facebook is actually enabling an illegal activity and in so doing you are hurting people,” McKinley said.
CNN says a number of lawmakers questioned whether Facebook’s data policy with third-party apps “violated a 2011 agreement with the Federal Trade Commission after a prior privacy complaint”.
Zuckerberg’s appearance before the senate committees comes at a time of turmoil for the social media giant.
According to The Guardian, an apparent “loss of trust” in Facebook has prompted the EU commissioner for consumers and justice, Vera Jourova, to re-examine the voluntary code of conduct on the removal of hate speech, and potentially replace it with “legislation and heavy sanctions”.
Jourova is set to meet with Facebook’s chief operating officer, Sheryl Sandberg, later this week to discuss the Cambridge Analytica scandal and the company’s evolving response to the crisis.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warnings
In Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published