Facebook unveils new privacy policies for advertisers
Real Clear Markets editor John Tamny joins 'Your World' with a new focus on privacy in the wake of latest policy change from Facebook which addresses how advertisers handle user data.
Facebook has confirmed that it shared user information with 52 companies that manufacture hardware and software, including some based in China.
The social media giant made the disclosure in a 747-page report it provided Friday to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
The list features major American tech companies such as Amazon, Apple and Microsoft. But it also includes Chinese firms such as Alibaba, Huawei, Lenovo, Oppo and TCL -- the last four of which have been flagged by U.S. intelligence as national security threats.
In its report, Facebook said that it had severed data access partnerships with 38 of the 52 companies. Eight more partnerships -- including with Nokia, Samsung, and Yahoo -- were to be discontinued by the end of October. Facebook said that six partnerships -- with Alibaba, Amazon, Apple, Mozilla, Opera and the accessibility app Tobii would continue.
Facebook also revealed that it allowed 61 companies special access to user data for months after a May 2015 policy change designed to prevent such access. Facebook said the companies -- including Nike, Nissan, Oracle, Panasonic, Spotify and UPS -- "were given a one-time extension ... to come into compliance."
Facebook is under scrutiny globally over allegations that political consultancy Cambridge Analytica used data from tens of millions of Facebook accounts to help U.S. President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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