Lawmakers want to question Facebook about the privacy of groups

as mentioned in Lawmakers are looking to question Facebook about its privacy practices after allegations that the service revealed sensitive health information in groups. The complaint argued that, despite the change, personal information is still too accessible by people within sensitive groups. Questions whether Facebook "potentially misled" usersNow, a letter from lawmakers on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce is questioning whether Facebook users were "potentially misled" about what data they would reveal by joining a closed group. "Facebook is not an anonymous platform; real-name identity is at the center of the experience and always has been," a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement. The company is reportedly negotiating with the FTC over a potentially massive fine for privacy issues.

U.S. regulators have met to discuss imposing a record-setting fine against Facebook for privacy violations

That fine set a record for the greatest penalty for violating an agreement with the FTC to improve its privacy practices. It prohibits Facebook from making deceptive statements about its privacy practices and institute outside checkups on the way it uses data. Privacy advocates have charged that Facebook violated the terms of that agreement repeatedly, as evidenced by its entanglement with Cambridge Analytica. The incident, brought to light by a former Cambridge Analytica employee, sparked an international backlash. The penalty would mark the toughest punishment to date levied on Facebook for mishandling its users' data.

Lawmakers want answers from Facebook on privacy of 'closed' health groups

referring to Lawmakers want answers from Facebook on privacy of 'closed' health groupshelloHouse Democrats are pressing Facebook on the privacy protections it has in place for people who share sensitive health information in forums for group discussion on the site. "People used the member lists and other information from these groups to target and harass members of the groups." "Labeling these groups as closed or anonymous potentially misled Facebook users into joining these groups and revealing more personal information than they otherwise would have," the lawmakers wrote. "And Facebook may have failed to properly notify group members that their personal health information may have been accessed by health insurance companies and online bullies, among others." The complaint, initially filed in December, says Facebook "deceptively solicited" patients to use its Groups feature to discuss health issues.

collected by :Roy Mark