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FTC reportedly approves $5 billion privacy settlement with social media company

Privacy/Cyber Risk & Data Security FTC Settlement

Privacy, Cyber Risk & Data Security

On July 12, it was reported that the FTC has approved a $5 billion penalty against the world’s largest social media company for allegedly mishandling its users’ personal information. The reported settlement would be the largest privacy penalty ever levied by the agency. According to reports, the settlement, which was approved in a 3-2 vote, resolves allegations that the company allowed a British consulting firm access to 87 million users’ personal data for political consulting purposes in violation of a 2012 privacy settlement with the FTC. Neither the FTC nor the social media company have commented on the reported settlement, which is still pending approval from the Department of Justice.