Facebook Sues Rankwave For Data Misuse

Facebook is suing a South Korean firm it accuses of unlawfully using data to sell marketing and advertising. The social network is asking a judge to force Rankwave to allow it to audit the firm’s activities to see if user data was obtained and potentially sold.

The network said the move would "send a message to developers that Facebook is serious about enforcing our policies".

"Facebook was investigating Rankwave’s data practices in relation to its advertising and marketing services," said Jessica Romero, Facebook's director of platform enforcement.

"Rankwave failed to co-operate with our efforts to verify their compliance with our policies, which we require of all developers using our platform."

A similar abuse of facebook user data by Cambridge Analytica resulted in that business closing down following an investigation by the UK Information Commissioner.

Tracking Users' Posts

According to court documents filed in California on Friday 10th May, Facebook is accusing Rankwave of using at least 30 different apps to "track and analyse" comments and likes on Facebook pages. Rankwave also had a consumer app that, after gaining the user's consent, would track the popularity of that user's posts. The app would calculate a "social influence score", Facebook said. However, the social network said it had information that since 2014, Rankwave had been using data gathered by its apps "for its own business purposes, which include providing consulting services to advertisers and marketing companies".

In its lawsuit, Facebook accuses Rankwave of ignoring repeated requests to open itself up to an audit and provide evidence relating to data it had allegedly obtained. Facebook wants a judge to force Rankwave to take those steps, as well as pay an unspecified amount in damages. Facebook said the data company had harmed its "reputation" and "public trust".

Facebook said it began investigating Rankwave, which has remained active on the network until last month, in June 2018, According to the BBC.

Need New Internet Rules

The case will probably draw comparisons with Cambridge Analytica, the UK-based data analytics firm that abused private Facebook data in order to inform political campaigning efforts. The discovery of that incident plunged Facebook into a crisis.

On Friday, Facebook co-founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris to discuss potential regulation of social networks. However, he did not address calls from fellow Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes that the company was too powerful and should be broken up.

BBC 1:            BBC 2

You Might Also Read: 

Zuckerberg Has Failed:


 

« Hackers Steal Bitcoins Worth $41m
Google Plan To Use Drone Delivery In Australia »

CyberSecurity Jobsite
Perimeter 81

Directory of Suppliers

IT Governance

IT Governance

IT Governance is a leading global provider of information security solutions. Download our free guide and find out how ISO 27001 can help protect your organisation's information.

NordLayer

NordLayer

NordLayer is an adaptive network access security solution for modern businesses — from the world’s most trusted cybersecurity brand, Nord Security. 

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Perimeter 81 / How to Select the Right ZTNA Solution

Gartner insights into How to Select the Right ZTNA offering. Download this FREE report for a limited time only.

Jooble

Jooble

Jooble is a job search aggregator operating in 71 countries worldwide. We simplify the job search process by displaying active job ads from major job boards and career sites across the internet.

MIRACL

MIRACL

MIRACL provides the world’s only single step Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) which can replace passwords on 100% of mobiles, desktops or even Smart TVs.

NCX Group

NCX Group

NCX Group is an Information Risk Management Firm, specializing in Information Security, Business Continuity, Incident Response & Security as a Service

Native Tele-Data Solutions (NTDS)

Native Tele-Data Solutions (NTDS)

NTDS is a leader in IT technology design and installation, specializing in standardized structured cable systems for voice, data, security and video.

iTrinegy

iTrinegy

iTrinegy is a world leader in Application Risk Management offering solutions to mitigate all networked application deployment risks

SK-CERT

SK-CERT

SK-CERT National Computer Computer Emergency Response Team of Slovakia.

Networkers

Networkers

Networkers is a global recruitment consultancy helping unite job-seekers and hiring companies across the technology industry.

The Data Privacy Group

The Data Privacy Group

The Data Privacy Group provide expert professional services underpinned by world leading automation tools and a consulting team specialized in privacy and data protection.

AnchorFree

AnchorFree

AnchorFree is a Virtual Private Network services provider offering secure encrypted access to the internet.

KIOS Center of Excellence (KIOS CoE)

KIOS Center of Excellence (KIOS CoE)

KIOS carries out top level research in the area of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) with emphasis on the Monitoring, Control and Security of Critical Infrastructures.

Cybero

Cybero

Cybero offers professional corporate cybersecurity training tailored to your business requirements.

TES

TES

TES is a provider of IT Lifecycle Services, offering bespoke solutions that help customers manage the commissioning, deployment and retirement of Information Technology assets.

Finosec

Finosec

Finosec's mission is to change the way information security and cybersecurity are managed in banking.

High Security Center (HSC)

High Security Center (HSC)

High Security Center provide real-time threat protection. We protect your company from targeted and persistent attacks using technologies such as Machine Learning and Behavioral Analysis.

Cybersecurity Center for Secure Evolvable Energy Delivery Systems (SEEDS)

Cybersecurity Center for Secure Evolvable Energy Delivery Systems (SEEDS)

SEEDS conducts research and develops innovative cybersecurity technologies, tools, and methodologies that advance the energy sector’s ability to survive cyber incidents.

Cigent Technology

Cigent Technology

Cigent keeps the most valuable asset in your organization safe—your data. Our advanced endpoint and managed network security solutions prevent ransomware and data theft.

LastPass

LastPass

LastPass provides award-winning password and identity management solutions that are convenient, effortless, and easy to manage.

Avalon Cyber

Avalon Cyber

Arm your organization in the fight against cyberattacks by partnering with the experts at Avalon Cyber.