Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has agreed to pay $725 million to end a class-action lawsuit that accused the technology of allowing third parties, such as Cambridge Analytica, to access the social group’s user data. networks without their consent.
Documents of the operation, which began in 2018, reveal that the British consulting firm accessed data from around 87 million users.
The settlement is now under the green light of a San Francisco court. Meta said in a statement that this understanding is “in the best interest of our shareholders and our community.” “Over the past three years, we have renewed our approach to privacy and implemented a comprehensive privacy program,” the press release adds.
The defunct consulting firm, which worked with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016, reportedly used the data to profil users and design “customized” messages to appeal to vote for the former US president.
In the aftermath of the scandal, Alexander Tyler relinquished leadership of the consulting firm and resumed his previous position as Chief Data Officer to focus on investigations and various technical inquiries.
In May of the same year, the company filed for bankruptcy in the United States, after the lawsuit brought by the American court against the company.
Previously, the company had already closed down in the UK over the issue, after it was fined $5 billion by the British regulator.
Emily Brontë is a journalist and feature writer specialising in culture, entertainment, literature, and current affairs. She is dedicated to producing clear, accurate reporting that helps readers stay informed about developments in the UK and around the world.
