Contents
Overview
The Facebook Cambridge Analytica data scandal began in 2018 when it was revealed that Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, had harvested the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their knowledge or consent.
The Scandal Unfolds
The data was collected through a third-party app called 'thisisyourdigitallife', which was developed by a researcher named Aleksandr Kogan. The app was marketed as a personality quiz, but it also collected data from users' Facebook profiles and their friends' profiles.
Consequences and Aftermath
The scandal led to widespread outrage and calls for greater regulation of social media companies. Facebook faced numerous lawsuits and regulatory investigations, and the company's CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, was called to testify before Congress.
Reforms and Regulations
In response to the scandal, Facebook implemented new policies and procedures to protect user data, including restricting the amount of data that third-party apps could collect and introducing new transparency measures.
Key Facts
- Year
- 2018
- Origin
- United States
- Category
- Technology
- Type
- Event
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Cambridge Analytica scandal?
The Cambridge Analytica scandal involved the use of personal data from Facebook intended to influence the 2016 US presidential election.
How did Cambridge Analytica collect user data?
Cambridge Analytica collected user data through a third-party app called 'thisisyourdigitallife', which was developed by a researcher named Aleksandr Kogan.
What were the consequences of the scandal?
The scandal led to widespread outrage and calls for greater regulation of social media companies. Facebook faced numerous lawsuits and regulatory investigations.