Mark Zuckerberg admits his data was taken by Cambridge Analytica as he spars with US lawmakers over Facebook data breaches
Facebook’s tech-savvy founder admitted that he was unable to protect even his own information, and lawmakers seemed sceptical that further legislation was unnecessary
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg admitted that his own data was taken by Cambridge Analytica on Wednesday as he tangled with lawmakers over how much control users have over their information in a sometimes fractious five-hour hearing.
Zuckerberg assured members of the US House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee that users have ultimate control of their Facebook data, but undermined that by saying he was among the 87 million users whose data was improperly shared with political consultancy Cambridge Analytica.
The admission that even the company’s tech-savvy founder was unable to protect his own information underscored the problem Facebook has in persuading sceptical lawmakers that users can easily safeguard their own data and that further legislation governing Facebook is unnecessary.
“Every time that someone chooses to share something on Facebook … there is a control. Right there. Not buried in the settings somewhere but right there,” Zuckerberg, 33, told the lawmakers.
Yet, when asked if his data had been improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica, he replied: “Yes.” He gave no further details.
Watch Mark Zuckerberg’s testimony here:
