Case Study 4 (10%)
Facebook-Cambridge Analytical Data Scandal
Background:
In 2018, it was revealed that the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica had harvested the personal data of millions of Facebook users without their consent.
The data was obtained through a quiz app that collected information not only from the users who took the quiz but also from their Facebook friends, resulting in the unauthorized collection of data from up to 87 million users.
Initial Details:
Cambridge Analytica used the data to create psychological profiles of users and target them with personalized political advertisements during the 2016 US presidential election.
The incident raised concerns about the misuse of personal data and the influence of targeted advertising on political outcomes.
Consequences:
The data scandal led to widespread outrage and scrutiny of Facebook’s data privacy practices.
Facebook faced investigations by regulatory authorities in several countries, including the US and the UK.
The scandal also resulted in a significant loss of trust in Facebook, leading to a decline in user engagement and a drop in its stock price.
Response and Resolution:
In response to the scandal, Facebook made changes to its platform to limit the amount of data third-party apps could access.
The company also implemented stricter policies and procedures for data handling and privacy.
Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, testified before Congress and apologized for the company’s handling of the incident.
Questions:
Ethical Considerations:
Q1. Do you think Facebook and Cambridge Analytica acted ethically in their handling of user data? Why or why not?
Q2. What ethical principles should guide the collection and use of personal data by companies?
Data Privacy Policy:
Q3. How did the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal impact the way companies approach data privacy policies?
Q4. What measures should companies take to ensure that user data is protected and used responsibly?
Regulatory Response:
Q5. What role should governments and regulatory bodies play in regulating the collection and use of personal data by companies?
Q6. Do you think existing data protection laws are sufficient to prevent similar incidents in the future?
User Awareness Control:
Q7. To what extent are users aware of the data that social media platforms collect about them?
Q8. What steps can users take to protect their privacy and control the use of their data on social media?
Impact on Trust:
Q9. How did the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal impact trust in social media platforms?
Q10. What can companies do to rebuild trust with their users following a data privacy incident?
Instructions:
Word count: 900-1300 words excluding references
Include references
Tools to be used: PowerPoint slides of chapter 7 and your own research.
Accepted Turn-It In and AI similarity % = 12%-15%
Individual work
Submission only through Blackboard ONLY
Deadline for submission is Thursday, April 11 11:59 pm
Late submissions will receive a 2 mark grade deduction
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