Facebook may have to pay a multi-billion dollar fine for violating its users' privacy—or face a lawsuit from the Federal Trade Commission.
The FTC has been investigating Facebook and is negotiating with the company "over a multi-billion dollar fine that would settle the agency's investigation,"
The Washington Post reported yesterday, citing "people familiar with the probe."
New York Times sources also confirmed that the current negotiations "could amount to a record, multibillion-dollar fine." The investigation focuses on whether Facebook violated the terms of a 2011 settlement with the FTC. In the 2011 case, the FTC
said that Facebook "deceived consumers by telling them they could keep their information on Facebook private, and then repeatedly allowing it to be shared and made public." The settlement prohibited Facebook from misrepresenting the privacy or security of user information, and it required Facebook to get consumers' express consent before making changes that override their privacy settings.
The current investigation began in March 2018, after revelations that up to 87 million users' information was improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm that did work for Donald Trump's presidential campaign. FTC investigators have been examining Facebook's conduct in the Cambridge Analytica case and "a series of additional privacy mishaps made public in recent months," the
Post wrote. Facebook could face a tough court case if the negotiations break down. Facebook denies violating the 2011 settlement, and the company "has expressed initial concern with the FTC’s demands," the
Post reported. "If talks break down, the FTC could take the matter to court in what would likely be a bruising legal fight." Facebook privacy revelations since the Cambridge Analytica scandal include making the posts of 14 million users public despite the users sharing the posts with only a limited number of contacts, giving tech companies access to users' personal data, and making the private photos of millions of people public. When contacted by Ars, Facebook declined to comment on the FTC investigation and negotiations. Facebook instead pointed to one of its previous statements from months ago, which said the company is "cooperating with officials in the US, UK, and beyond. We've provided public testimony, answered questions, and pledged to continue our assistance as their work continues.".