Attorneys General in Six States Are Now Investigating Facebook's Data Practices, Report Says (gizmodo.com) 47
At least six state attorneys general have launched investigations into Facebook, Bloomberg is reporting. From a report: Two distinct groups have formed, according to Bloomberg's report: Pennsylvania and Illinois have joined Connecticut in an investigation of "existing allegations," though the report does not mention what those are. Officials in New York, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, "which were already known to be probing Facebook, are seeking to uncover any potential unknown violations," a source told the news agency.
Bloomberg reported that a Facebook vice president of public policy, Will Castleberry, spun the news as the attorneys general just wanting to help Facebook out by suggesting new privacy initiatives or something. "We're having productive conversations with attorneys general on this important topic," Castleberry wrote in an email to Bloomberg. "Many officials have approached us in a constructive manner, focused on solutions that ensure all companies are protecting people's information, and we look forward to continuing to work with them."
Bloomberg reported that a Facebook vice president of public policy, Will Castleberry, spun the news as the attorneys general just wanting to help Facebook out by suggesting new privacy initiatives or something. "We're having productive conversations with attorneys general on this important topic," Castleberry wrote in an email to Bloomberg. "Many officials have approached us in a constructive manner, focused on solutions that ensure all companies are protecting people's information, and we look forward to continuing to work with them."
A wopping 12% (Score:2)
So 12% of the states are investigating how well the privacy and usage of its constituents data is protected.
Leaving 88% of the US States, not giving a hoot, about their population.
Re: (Score:2)
So 12% of the states are investigating how well the privacy and usage of its constituents data is violated.
There, fixed that for you
Re:A wopping 12% (Score:4, Interesting)
These States, while often Reliably blue for voting for presidents, and senate, are actually not as liberal as they are portrayed, they have a strong conservative streak in them as well. I don't think this is mostly due to political leanings, because their are Conservative groups that would love to give Liberal California based Facebook a black eye too.
Unfortunately the political parties both of them, have strayed away from political ideas, and are centered around interest groups, who are good at bringing in the money for their reelection.
Re: (Score:1)
It's probably just an artefact of how far to the right the whole of US politics is. Compare US and UK:
US far left -> UK centre
US left -> UK centre right
US centre -> UK hard right
US right -> UK far right
US far right -> UK far right
California? (Score:2)
Leaving 88% of the US States, not giving a hoot, about their population.
The state that could really hold Facebook's feet to the fire (California) evidently doesn't give a damn. It's not really clear to me what most of those other states can do about the problem. They have offices in Illinois and New York so that's something but their presence elsewhere is sparse to non-existent except online. So jurisdiction could be an issue.
Facebook dishonesty (Score:2)
The five most dishonest answers Mark Zuckerberg gave to Congress. [slate.com]
Facebook is using 'dishonest and manipulative' tactics to get EU users to agree to facial recognition, critics say [nhregister.com].
Result (Score:3)
Existing Allegations (Score:1)
... that these companies have MONEY, and there is a chance to get them to give some of it to their states, through the use of vague accusations of things people THINK should be illegal, even if there is no supporting laws.
Oh, and to look like a "knight in shinning armor" to their constituents in time for the next reelection bid.
Stealth Data Capture (Score:4, Insightful)
I hope they do something about grabbing data that people don't think they're sharing. Especially with apps that might be recording voices, grabbing location, noting WiFi and cell tower IDs to infer location, etc. They get enough data from what people choose to post, but their apps are downright espionage tools.
Re: (Score:1)
This is the root of the problem. If it doesn't say "YOUR MOVEMENTS, COMMUNICATIONS, AND PERSONAL ASSOCIATIONS WILL BE PERMANENTLY RECORDED AND SOLD" then it's not enough. And notice I didn't use the weasel word "shared" -- the correct term is "sold".