Facebook Lawsuit: they sold your personal info, broke your privacy, profited from you but don’t worry, here’s $8 bucks

In 2018, Facebook was rocked by the Cambridge Analytica scandal, where the data of millions of users was harvested without their consent and used to target political advertising during the 2016 US presidential election. Facebook has recently agreed to pay a $725 million settlement in a class-action lawsuit filed against the company for its role in the scandal. However, the payout per person is likely to be a few dollars, which is far from adequate compensation for the loss of privacy and control over personal data.

This case highlights the ongoing issue of tech companies monetizing users’ data without adequately compensating them or protecting their privacy. In the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Facebook allowed a third-party app to harvest data from users and their friends, which was then used to target political advertising without their consent.

The settlement may seem like a victory for users, but it does little to address the underlying problem of tech companies monetizing users’ data without their consent. Facebook must be held accountable for its role in the scandal, and users must be adequately compensated for the loss of control over their personal information.

Moreover, the recent congressional hearing on TikTok’s data practices highlights the double standard applied to different tech companies. While TikTok is under scrutiny for its data practices, Facebook has been allowed to continue selling users’ data overseas with little consequence.

Facebook has been embroiled in numerous scandals involving the mishandling of user data. The company must take significant steps to protect users’ privacy and ensure that their data is not used without their consent. Until this happens, tech companies will continue to profit at the expense of their users’ privacy and well-being.

In conclusion, the settlement between Facebook and the class-action lawsuit over the Cambridge Analytica scandal is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough. Facebook must be held accountable for its role in the scandal, and users must be adequately compensated for the loss of control over their personal information. Tech companies must prioritize the protection of users’ privacy and ensure that their data is not used without their consent.