Facebook announces plans to restrict access to users' data

After it was revealed that Cambridge Analytica had shared the Facebook information of up to 87 million users, the social networking giant is working in overtime to rebuild trust with its users and has revealed new restrictions to improve the protection of users’ data.

In a statement released on their website yesterday Mike Schroepfer, Chief Technology Officer at Facebook said: “Two weeks ago we promised to take a hard look at the information apps can use when you connect them to Facebook as well as other data practices.

“Today, we want to update you on the changes we’re making to better protect your Facebook information. We expect to make more changes over the coming months — and will keep you updated on our progress.”

The new data protection changes are now in operation and largely affect apps which run alongside the Facebook system.

Here is an overview of what Facebook has claimed it will do to better protect users’ privacy and data:

Call and Text History

Facebook has said it will delete all logs older than one year.

Data Providers and Partner Categories

Partner Categories, which lets third-party data providers offer their targeting directly on Facebook, has now been shut down.

App Controls

From 9 April Facebook will show a list of apps at the top of the newsfeed so users can see what apps they use and the information they are sharing with them. Facebook has also announced as part of the new app control process they will inform each person who has had their data shared with Cambridge Analytica.

Search and Account Recovery