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
Puma appoints Adam & Eve/DDB to global creative account
The appointment follows a competitive pitch.
Bastion launches media division, names Kellanova as ...
The new offering, led by ANZ CEO Cheuk Chiang, will integrate media planning and buying with the agency's creative and strategic services.
Spikes Asia announces 2025 jury members
Brands including Grab, Meta, TikTok, Unilever, and Warner Music Asia will be represented on the jury for 2025—and Mongolia joins the jury for the first time.
Analysis of over a million ads reveals state of ...
A report by XR Extreme Reach, which uses AI-powered representation analysis of over a million ads from more than 100 countries, provides a global view into the state of inclusivity in advertising.