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50 million Facebook users had data stolen in largest breach in social media history

Facebook responds to lawsuit
Posted at 6:30 PM, Mar 22, 2018
and last updated 2018-03-22 19:50:07-04

The largest breach in social media history allegedly stole Facebook users account information and used it against them.

The Facebook app My Digital Life, developed by the firm Cambridge Analytica paid 270,000 account holders to take a personality test. Then used that data to steal every account holders friend information.

Cybersecurity expert Stu Sjouwerman calls it an 'epic fail' for Facebook.

Related:

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Facebook suspends data firm with Trump ties

Cambridge Analytica Reportedly Tried To Stop Documentary From Airing

Cambridge Analytica CEO Suspended Pending Investigation

The class-action lawsuit filed this week in California contends data was used to send specific political posts aimed out swaying voters.

John Yanchunis with Morgan and Morgan, one of the lead attorneys in the case says they are seeking compensation for anyone who is affected.

On Wednesday Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerburg posted multiple measures the site now has in place to protect users’ information.

Wednesday, on CNN, Zuckerburg apologized in his first on-camera appearance since the scandal broke.

“We have a basic responsibility to protect people's data, and if we don't do that, then we don't deserve to have the opportunity to serve people," Zuckerburg said.

And he promised to look deeper into the activity of app developers.

"Are they selling the data in a way that people don't want? Are they giving it to someone that they don't have authorization to do?"

Now, members of congress are calling on the Facebook founder to testify under oath. Zuckerburg says he's happy to comply.

Meanwhile, the Federal Trade Commission is investigating whether the site violated the terms of a 2011 agreement about how user data was to be handled.