Business

Facebook shares slide amid privacy backlash

Facebook's shares have fallen sharply as it faces questions from US and UK politicians about its privacy rules.

The social network is under fire after reports on how Cambridge Analytica, which some believe helped Donald Trump win the US election, acquired and used Facebook's customer information.

Theresa May's spokesman called the allegations "very concerning".

The UK's data protection authority is seeking a warrant to search Cambridge Analytica's London offices.

Facebook shares ended trading 6.7% lower at $172.56, wiping some $35bn off the social network's market value.

The company is accused of failing to properly inform users that their profile information may have been obtained and kept by Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm.

Firm suspended

The Information Commissioner's Office has confirmed it will be seeking a warrant to search Cambridge Analytica's offices on Tuesday.

On Friday, Facebook suspended the consulting firm, saying it had acquired data from a researcher who violated the firm's policies.

Cambridge Analytica "strongly denies" the allegations levelled against it.

Asked about the reports, the prime minister's spokesman said: "The allegations are clearly very concerning.

"It is essential that people can have confidence that their personal data will be protected and used in an appropriate way."

US senators Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, and John Kennedy, a Republican, have also called for a hearing about data security and said they want to question Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg, and the heads of other tech companies.

"While Facebook has pledged to enforce its policies to protect people's information, questions remain as to whether those policies are sufficient and whether Congress should take action to protect people's private information," they wrote in the letter.

"The lack of oversight on how data is stored and how political advertisements are sold raises concerns about the integrity of American elections as well as privacy rights."

Alexander Nix, chief executive of Cambridge Analytica, was questioned by a Parliamentary committee last month about using data to target messages.

Original Article

[contf] [contfnew]

BBC

[contfnewc] [contfnewc]

Related Articles

Business

Pressed by COVID-19 and low oil prices, Nigeria slips into recession

africanews– Nigeria, Africa’s biggest economy, entered recession for the second time in...

Business

EU Reeling From Yellow Vest Protests. What Happens if There Is a Debt Crisis?

There is a lot of talk about which economic bubble will burst...

Business

EU Reeling From Yellow Vest Protests. What Happens if There Is a Debt Crisis?

There is a lot of talk about which economic bubble will burst...

Business

Till Trump do they part: Top tech firms cut ties with Huawei following US trade blacklisting

Last week, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at...