Ever since the Facebook Cambridge Analytica scandal, the social network has been investigating apps on its platform and the way people’s data is used.
The company has now confirmed that it has suspended more than 400 apps since it started its investigation back in March.
Details of the Investigation
Since launching our investigation in March, we have investigated thousands of apps. And we have suspended more than 400 due to concerns around the developers who built them or how the information people chose to share with the app may have been used — which we are now investigating in much greater depth.
The investigation was initiated in response to the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where it was revealed that the data of millions of Facebook users had been improperly accessed and used for political advertising. This scandal highlighted significant vulnerabilities in Facebook’s data protection policies and prompted the company to take more stringent measures to safeguard user information.
Facebook’s investigation process involves a thorough review of each app’s data access permissions and the developers behind them. The company has employed a combination of automated systems and manual reviews to scrutinize the apps. This comprehensive approach ensures that any app found to be misusing data is promptly suspended and further investigated.
Policy Changes and Future Steps
It’s also why we’ve changed many of our policies — such as our expansion of App Review and our new policy that no information will be shared with apps if you haven’t used them in 90 days. We will continue to investigate apps and make the changes needed to our platform to ensure that we are doing all we can to protect people’s information.
One of the significant policy changes includes the expansion of the App Review process. This means that any app that requests access to user data must undergo a rigorous review process to ensure it complies with Facebook’s data protection standards. Additionally, the new policy that restricts data sharing with apps that haven’t been used in 90 days is a crucial step in minimizing unnecessary data exposure.
These changes are part of Facebook’s broader effort to rebuild trust with its users. The company has also introduced more transparent data usage policies and provided users with more control over their data. For instance, users can now see a detailed breakdown of the data that apps have access to and can easily revoke permissions if they are uncomfortable with the level of access.
Moreover, Facebook has been working closely with regulatory bodies and data protection authorities worldwide to ensure compliance with global data protection standards. This collaboration is essential in creating a safer online environment and preventing future data misuse incidents.
The company has also launched educational campaigns to inform users about data privacy and security. These campaigns aim to empower users with the knowledge they need to protect their personal information online. By raising awareness about data privacy, Facebook hopes to foster a more informed and cautious user base.
You can find out more details about the company’s investigations into how people’s data is used by apps at the link below.
Source Facebook
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