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Facebook responds after getting tangled up in another data-sharing scandal

Last updated: 14:17 04 Jun 2018 BST, First published: 13:49 04 Jun 2018 BST

Facebook privacy
Apple and Samsung were listed among the companies in data-sharing partnerships

In the wake of the Cambridge Analytica situation that led to millions of users’ personal information being disclosed, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) is under scrutiny again.

A New York Times article revealed that the platform shared more information with device makers than originally thought. Device-integrated APIs, or application programming interface, allowed device makers like Apple and Blackberry to offer Facebook features to users. The partnerships were arranged about a decade ago before the rise of the app store.

READ: Facebook scraps 'Trending Topics' section as fake news debate rolls on

Around 60 device makers were involved in data-sharing partnerships including Apple Inc (NASDAQ:AAPL), Blackberry Limited (NYSE:BB), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Samsung Electronics Co Ltd and Amazon.com Inc (NASDAQ:AMZN).

Device companies were able to retrieve personal information from users’ friends, according to the Times article.

READ: Cambridge Analytica files for bankruptcy in the US in wake of Facebook data scandal

The report raises concerns about the platform’s privacy practices and its compliance with the 2011 consent decree with the Federal Trade Commission. The FTC alleged that Facebook had deceived its users, telling them that their information was kept private but then sharing it with third-party applications and advertisers.

“Contrary to claims by the New York Times, friends’ information, like photos, was only accessible on devices when people made a decision to share their information with those friends. We are not aware of any abuse by these companies,” responded Facebook in a blog post entitled “Why We Disagree with The New York Times”.

The social media giant announced back in April that it would slowly wind down access to APIs  as fewer people were using them since a Facebook app has been made available on iOS and Android devices.

So far, the company said it has ended 22 of these data-sharing partnerships.

Shares of Facebook were down more than 1% to US$190.90 in Monday pre-market trading.

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