Arkansas AG Rutledge Investigating Facebook Consumer Data Use
Arkansas Attorney General Leslie Rutledge (R) is probing Facebook’s use of consumer data, a spokesperson told us Friday. Rutledge “is investigating the use of consumer data on social media and other internet platforms to ensure appropriate safeguards for consumers and…
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protection against security breaches that could be harmful to Arkansans,” the spokesperson wrote, not saying whether the inquiry is directly related to the Cambridge Analytica privacy breach or linked to a multistate investigation led by Democratic state AGs (see 1902010049). Facebook previously said it’s in contact with AGs from several states. “More regulation of the internet” is needed, the platform conceded Monday. The company welcomes “smart” legislation and will “work with lawmakers to achieve it,” it said. “Simplicity” is needed in policy discussions, FCC Commissioner Jessica Rosenworcel tweeted Sunday: “The average person would have to spend 76 working days to read all the digital privacy policies they agree to in the span of a year ... So much fine print in so many places.” Facebook outlined ways it’s addressing privacy issues, foreign interference, safety issues and other concerns: It removes millions of fake accounts to combat election interference and misinformation; more than 30,000 staffers work on safety and security; and staff now detect 99 percent of terrorist-related content before it’s reported, 97 percent of violence and graphic content, and 96 percent of nudity. The FTC can become the “privacy watchdog that this era so desperately needs” if Congress empowers and properly funds the agency, The New York Times editorial board wrote Saturday: “Uninformed, non-negotiated” consent agreements included in overly complex privacy policies shouldn’t be the requirement for using “services that are often necessary for civic life.”