Facebook users caught in data breach are fuming at the social network
FACEBOOK users who had their data swiped without their permission by Cambridge Analytica told The Sun they are livid at the social network.
The social network began sending out notifications to users impacted by its latest breach earlier this week.
Around 87 million people are believed to have had their info snatched without consent by a rogue app called "This is Your Digital Life", whose creator then shared that data with Trump-affiliated firm Cambridge Analytica.
Until recently, the snatched info was thought to have been limited to bits from public profiles, including phone numbers, email addresses, and political and religious leanings.
But Facebook buried a shocking revelation in its data notification, admitting that around 1,500 users also shared their private messages with the shady app.
And people are understandably outraged by it all.
"I am still angry that [Facebook] despite knowing that data has been lifted kept quiet for the longest time just to earn some easy money," said Dhaval Patel, an IT professional from Mumbai who received the notification.
"The strongest action possible should be taken against Facebook and Cambridge Analytica for such a massive breach," he added.
Meanwhile, New York-based teacher Sonja Whipp said her initial confusion soon turned to fear over the implications of a third-party having access to her info.
"I was surprised to see that I got the notification. I’ve been a Facebook user for 13 years and have lost track of the number of apps I have attached to my profile," she told The Sun.
"Mark Zuckerberg’s whole 'well this is what you signed up for' response wasn’t too comforting. It’s scary to think about the power that Facebook holds over our personal data. I’ve been way too trusting."
Still, neither Patel or Whipp said they'd be willing to abandon Facebook in the wake of its privacy screw-up.
Meanwhile, Canadian Sussana Michelini said she wasn't surprised by the platform's use of public data.
"I was upset at what Facebook did however it doesn't surprise me as other tech giants I am certain use data and sell it to third parties including Google," said the independent consultant, who specialises in AI and neuroscience.
She continued: "My main issue with Cambridge analytica is that they sell this information to third parties --and who knows where those third parties are and what organizations they are."
Others who were pinged the alert took to Twitter to voice their anger at the social network.
"I am one the of the 87 million. And I am p**sed," tweeted Amy Siskind, president of US non-profit The New Agenda.
"Just got the notification that my information was taken in all that Facebook b.s." tweeted Gary Harper.
"I got the same message this morning too. They should tell us what friends so we can unfriend if they don't stop taking quizzes on FB," tweeted @MockingJayMom.
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On Tuesday, Mark Zuckerberg faced the first round of grilling questions from US Senators at Congress.
The Facebook founder began by apologising and vowed to audit suspicious apps - which can be used to scrape users' personal data - saying: "We believe that we’re going to be investigating many apps – tens of thousands."
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