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Full Version: Facebook fined $5bn over Cambridge Analytica
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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-48972327

US regulators have approved a record $5bn (£4bn) fine on Facebook to settle an investigation into data privacy violations, reports in US media say.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has been investigating allegations that political consultancy Cambridge Analytica improperly obtained the data of up to 87 million Facebook users.

The settlement was approved by the FTC in a 3-2 vote, sources told US media.

The consumer protection agency the FTC began investigating Facebook in March 2018 following reports that Cambridge Analytica had accessed the data of tens of millions of its users.

The investigation focused on whether Facebook had violated a 2011 agreement under which it was required to clearly notify users and gain "express consent" to share their data.



Well, this is quite an escalation. They've received plenty of fines for things like this in the past; however, it's mostly been "slap-on-the-wrist" fines that barely put a dent in their profits.

However, perhaps this will be different?
STILL pocket change, though.

They will make it back by Monday.