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Facebook scandal 'hit 87 million users' Facebook scandal 'hit 87 million users'
(about 1 hour later)
Facebook has said it now believes up to 87 million people's data was improperly shared with the political consultancy Cambridge Analytica - many more than previously disclosed. Facebook believes the data of up to 87 million people was improperly shared with the political consultancy Cambridge Analytica - many more than previously disclosed.
The BBC has been told that about 1.1 million of them are UK-based.The BBC has been told that about 1.1 million of them are UK-based.
The overall figure had been previously quoted as being 50 million by the whistleblower Christopher Wylie.The overall figure had been previously quoted as being 50 million by the whistleblower Christopher Wylie.
The details were revealed in a blog by the tech firm's chief technology officer, Mike Schroepfer.The details were revealed in a blog by the tech firm's chief technology officer, Mike Schroepfer.
The BBC has also learned that Facebook now estimates that about 305,000 people had installed the This Is Your Digital Life quiz that had made the data-harvesting possible. The figure previously suggested had been 270,000. The BBC has also learned that Facebook now estimates that about 305,000 people had installed the This Is Your Digital Life quiz that had made the data-harvesting possible. The previously suggested figure had been 270,000.
About 97% of the installations occurred within the US. However, just over 16 million of the total number of users affected are thought to be from other countries.About 97% of the installations occurred within the US. However, just over 16 million of the total number of users affected are thought to be from other countries.
A spokeswoman for the UK's Information Commissioner's Office told the BBC that it was continuing to assess and consider the evidence before deciding what steps to take.A spokeswoman for the UK's Information Commissioner's Office told the BBC that it was continuing to assess and consider the evidence before deciding what steps to take.
What is the controversy about?
Facebook has faced intense criticism after it emerged that it had known for years that Cambridge Analytica had collected data from millions of its users, but had relied on the London-based firm to self-certify that it had deleted the information.Facebook has faced intense criticism after it emerged that it had known for years that Cambridge Analytica had collected data from millions of its users, but had relied on the London-based firm to self-certify that it had deleted the information.
Channel 4 News has since reported that at least some of the data in question is still in circulation despite Cambridge Analytica insisting it had destroyed the material. Cambridge Analytica said it had bought the information from the creator of the This Is Your Digital Life app without knowing that it had been obtained improperly.
The firm says it deleted all the data as soon as it was made aware of the circumstances.
But Channel 4 News has since reported that at least some of the data in question is still in circulation despite Cambridge Analytica insisting it had destroyed the material.
Responding to Facebook's blog post on Wednesday, Cambridge Analytica tweeted that is had only obtained information about 30 million people - not 87 million - from the app creator, and again insisted it had deleted all records.
The latest revelations came several hours after the US House Commerce Committee announced that Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, would testify before it on 11 April.The latest revelations came several hours after the US House Commerce Committee announced that Facebook's founder, Mark Zuckerberg, would testify before it on 11 April.
Apps alert Facebook's share price has dropped sharply in the weeks since the allegations emerged.
Mr Schroepfer also detailed new steps being taken by Facebook in the wake of the scandal. Wide-ranging changes
In his Wednesday blog post, Mr Schroepfer detailed new steps being taken by Facebook in the wake of the scandal.
They include:They include:
Facebook has also published proposed new versions of its terms of service and data use policy.Facebook has also published proposed new versions of its terms of service and data use policy.
The documents are longer than the existing editions in order to make the language clearer and more descriptive.The documents are longer than the existing editions in order to make the language clearer and more descriptive.
Tinder users affected
Another change the company announced involved limiting the type of information that can be accessed by third-party applications.
Immediately after the changes were announced, however, users of the widely popular dating app Tinder were hit by login errors, leaving them unable to use the service.
Tinder relies on Facebook to manage its logins. Users reported that they had been signed out of the app and were unable to log in again.
Instead, the app repeatedly asks for more permissions to access a user's Facebook profile information. Many were quick to link the outage to the changes announced by Facebook.