Facebook Suspends Tens of Thousands of Apps Following Data Investigation

Facebook revealed Friday that it had suspended "tens of thousands" of apps that may have mishandled users' personal data, [Editor's note: the link may be paywalled; alternative source] part of an investigation sparked by the social giant's entanglement with Cambridge Analytica. From a report: The suspensions -- far more than the hundreds against which Facebook has taken action against in the past -- occurred for a "variety of reasons," the company said in a blog post, without elaborating. They were associated with about 400 developers. Facebook said it had investigated millions of apps and targeted those that Facebook said had access to "large amounts of information" or had the "potential to abuse" its policies. Facebook said some of the apps were banned for inappropriately sharing users' data, the same violation of company policy that led to the Cambridge Analytica scandal. It added that its investigation, now 18 months long, isn't yet complete.

Data abuse all the way down

[Nidi62]

Facebook said it had investigated millions of apps and targeted those that Facebook said had access to "large amounts of information" or had the "potential to abuse" its policies. Facebook said some of the apps were banned for inappropriately sharing users' data

So...did they suspend themselves?

Re:

[Narcocide]

Just burning evidence in anticipation of future investigations. Nothing to see here, move along.

Re:

[Z00L00K]

So when is Facebook going to get suspended?

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[Chromal]

I know, right? Do they believe this absolves them of responsibility and culpability?

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[Narcocide]

I think they do believe that, yes. And despite the growing resentment towards them I haven't seen any strong evidence to the contrary, either.

And did they use a noose?

[BAReFO0t]

A stake, dipped in lime juice, salted, and placed on top of an ant nest or bag of camel fleas, would do nicely too.

Plagiarism

[BellyJelly]

Facebook suspends tens of thousands of apps for following it's business model?

Let me get this straight

[OYAHHH]

So,

Wastebook in it's infinite wisdom hands out/uses about a zillion tracking cookies as well as other personal pieces of data (including listening to your conversations) with practically any and all who want to drink from the fountain. And then they have the nerve to accuse those who drank from the fountain, that Wastebook graciously made available, of breaking some sort of "rules?"

That my friend is hypocrisy of the ultimate order.

Re:

[AHuxley]

The power of a CoC on a third party :)

Lack of procedures?

[Misagon]

Aren't these apps that Facebook shouldn't have granted access on the platform in the first place?
It seems like a giant omission on Facebook's part, not doing proper vetting before allowing them.