Cambridge analytica data scandal

The Facebook-Cambridge Analytica Scandal: A Wake-Up Call for Digital Privacy

The roots of the scandal trace back to Facebook’s data-sharing policies in the early 2010s. At the time, Facebook allowed third-party developers to create apps that could access user data. When users granted an app permission to access their Facebook accounts, the app could also collect information from their friends’ profiles without explicit consent. This policy created a massive loophole, making it possible to gather vast amounts of data through relatively small networks.

Enter Aleksandr Kogan, a psychology professor at the University of Cambridge. In 2013, Kogan developed a personality quiz app called “This Is Your Digital Life.” Approximately 270,000 Facebook users installed the app, granting it access to their personal information. However, thanks to Facebook’s permissive policies, Kogan’s app also harvested data from their friends, ultimately collecting information from around 87 million Facebook users.

Regulations: The scandal accelerated the introduction of stricter data protection laws, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in Europe, which gives individuals more control over their personal information.

Fines: In 2019, Facebook was fined $5 billion by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for its role in the scandal.

Corporate Accountability: Cambridge Analytica declared bankruptcy in 2018, but questions linger about the long-term impact of its practices on global elections.