While the company stated that the Facebook user ID may have been inadvertently shared via a browser or an application, it assured its users in a public statement that the company would "introduce new technology to contain the problem".
According to Gregory Birge, managing director of F5 Digital Consulting, digital databases have always been at risk and a company must protect this information. “It is like a big bank which must firstly protect its consumer information,” says Birge. “Facebook is not a database. It is an interaction platform for friends. They should ideally not sell data. However, if they do plan to do so, it has to be protected, just like a bank would do.”
Large companies such as Sony or Amex who hire hackers to protect their own codes, exemplify that online information by and large is unsafe and open to hackers.
Birge says that while it is easy to point fingers at Facebook and suggest what they should have done and why it has happened, it is for us all to take this cue to wake up to the fact that data must be encrypted for internet transfer and safeguard against hackers. “While it is unfortunate, Facebook must ensure that it has a much tighter security measure because of its large database,” Birge suggests.
Facebook apologises for breach of online privacy
GLOBAL - In another blow to the privacy settings of the social networking site, Facebook has been accused of relaying personal information such as names, and in some instances friends' names, to advertisers and internet tracking companies.
Top news, insights and analysis every weekday
Sign up for Campaign Bulletins
Most Read
Just Published
40 Under 40 2024: Natalja Voronova, Goodyear
With only seven months to her name at an MNC, Voronova has already made strides with many of her practical solutions speedily coming to life.
Vivendi shareholders approve historic four-way ...
Adland giant Havas gets Amsterdam listing nod as 97% of Vivendi shareholders back historic restructure.
Adland reacts to Omnicom-IPG mega-merger
The creation of advertising's new superpower has sparked intense debate about the future of marketing services. Campaign speaks to industry figures about what the $25.6 billion deal means for creativity, competition, and clients worldwide.
How programmatic digital out-of-home can help ...
Brands can benefit from the ongoing surge in global tourism driven by travellers from China by relying more heavily on an integrated strategy anchored around programmatic digital-out-of-home says Franck Vidal, director of Southeast Asia sales and partnerships at Vistar Media