Facebook is on the defensive again over how it handles people’s
personal data. Under scrutiny this time is the company’s practice of
sharing information about its users with dozens of smartphone and tablet
makers.
A New York Times investigation published late on Sunday revealed the
scope of data-sharing deals Facebook struck over the years with
companies like Apple, Samsung and Microsoft.
The partnerships give some device makers access to Facebook users’
education history, relationship status, work, religion, political
leaning and upcoming events, the Times reported.
In a blog post, Facebook confirmed some parts of the Times’ report
but disputed others. It said it forged partnerships with around 60
companies back when mobile phones were less powerful and app stores did
not yet exist. The social media company said it gave device makers
access to software only so they could build versions of Facebook that
worked on different phones or operating systems.
“These partners signed agreements that prevented people’s
Facebook information from being used for any other purpose than to
recreate Facebook-like experiences,” Ime Archibong, Facebook’s vice president of product partnerships, wrote in the blog post.
“We are not aware of any abuse by these companies,” he added, noting
that Facebook has been “winding down access” to the software.
The New York Times reported that Facebook also gave device makers
“access to the data of users’ friends without their explicit consent,
even after declaring that it would no longer share such information with
outsiders.”
Facebook disputed that finding, saying that “friends’ information,
like photos, was only accessible on devices when people made a decision
to share their information with those friends.” But the revelations
quickly drew criticism and concern. “It’s worrying that so many
companies had access to this data, particularly in light of security and
privacy concerns,” said Michael Veale, a technology policy expert at
University College London.
He suggested it’s “hugely possible that other apps on some devices
could have been mining this data if the privacy and security controls
were lax.” US Congressman David Cicilline, who has introduced a bill
intended to curb Facebook and Google’s influence in the news industry,
said the Times report raises questions about Facebook CEO Mark
Zuckerburg’s testimony before Congress earlier this year.
“Sure looks like Zuckerberg lied to Congress about whether users have
‘complete control’ over who sees our data on Facebook,” Cicilline wrote
on Twitter. “This needs to be investigated and the people responsible
need to be held accountable.” Apple, Samsung and Microsoft did not
respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Facebook is under increasing scrutiny from lawmakers, regulators and
users around the world over its handling of users’ data and the steps it
takes to protect their privacy.