PRESIDENT SIGNS $25M FACEBOOK SETTLEMENT TO RESOLVE KAMALA HARRIS-LED PROBE INTO COMPANY’S DATA PRIVACY ISSUES
President Joe Biden has signed a $25 million settlement agreement with Facebook, resolving a probe into the company’s data privacy practices led by then-California Attorney General Kamala Harris.
The settlement, announced in October 2020, stems from concerns that Facebook may have violated the state’s consumer protection laws by providing third-party developers with access to user information and tracking its users’ online activities without their consent.
As part of the agreement, Facebook has agreed to a number of reforms, including enhanced privacy measures and new protections for users, such as:
* Improved transparency and consent procedures for users
* Enhanced data minimization practices
* Strengthened data deletion policies
* Increased tracking and reporting of data breaches
* Enhanced employee training on privacy
“We’re committed to protecting the privacy and security of our users’ data and to ensuring that our services are used in ways that are beneficial to people’s lives,” Facebook said in a statement.
Under the settlement, California will receive $7 million, while $13 million will be allocated to fund public education and outreach efforts to help users make informed decisions about online privacy. Another $5 million will be set aside for other legal and law enforcement purposes.
The settlement is seen as a significant step in the government’s efforts to hold technology companies accountable for their data privacy practices, as concerns over these issues continue to grow. The agreement is also seen as a nod to the scrutiny faced by Facebook, which has faced numerous data privacy scandals and controversies over the years.
