There’s been another Facebook data leak, and yet again, millions of users are said to have been affected.
The fines that Facebook could now face in accordance with GDPR are mounting. This is one of many data leaks that have been revealed recently. The previous one, affecting some 29m users, was only discovered a couple of months ago.
In this latest Facebook data leak, a software bug has led to users’ photos being uploaded to websites without permission.
The latest Facebook data leak
In the latest Facebook data leak, images for some 6.8m users have been used without permission.
The leak was reportedly caused by a software bug related to the Facebook login facility that gives apps permission to access photos. Some 1,500 apps were accidentally given access to more images than permitted and intended. The bug is said to have been active between 13th September 2018 and 15th September 2018.
Users are being asked to check their apps and see what images of theirs may have been uploaded without permission.
Another data leak that stems from a simple software bug!
In statement in the wake of the Facebook data leak, the social media giants said:
“We’re sorry this happened. Early next week we will be rolling out tools for app developers that will allow them to determine which people using their app might be impacted by this bug.
We will also notify the people potentially impacted by this bug via an alert on Facebook. The notification will direct them to a Help Center link where they’ll be able to see if they’ve used any apps that were affected by the bug”
Another GDPR fine for this latest Facebook data leak
There could be another GDPR fine for this latest Facebook data leak. This could be on top of any fines they may be issued for the other data leaks that have taken place since the new rules came into force in May this year.
We’re yet to see the full force of the GDPR fines at work. Facebook could be on the receiving end of some of the biggest fines ever recorded. The rules allow for fines that could amount to billions of pounds for Facebook as they can be based on turnover.
How many fines could Facebook now face? How will they be calculated? We will continue to monitor developments closely.