Facebook is not the only company that could face scrutiny over its data practices.
Other tech giants, like Google and Twitter, keep vast amounts of data on their users. The advent of things like big data and artificial intelligence being used to influence the way people think online are a cause for concern for consumers and regulators alike.
The U.K.’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), which is currently investigating controversial data firm Cambridge Analytica, is also looking into 29 other organizations, including social media companies, over the use of data for political purposes.
On Thursday, the EU announced the launch of a Social Media Working Group that will develop a united strategy to scrutinize the use of people’s personal data.
Facebook has said 87 million users’ profiles may have had their data shared without consent to Cambridge Analytica. The data analytics firm is accused of using that data to influence U.S. voters during the 2016 presidential elections, which it has denied.
It obtained Facebook data through a quiz app set up by Aleksandr Kogan, a lecturer at Cambridge University. Cambridge Analytica has said no more than 30 million profiles were shared.
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