Aussie watchdog sues facebook over cambridge analytica breach

You're referring to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) taking legal action against Facebook over the Cambridge Analytica data breach!

In July 2020, the ACCC announced that it had launched proceedings against Facebook in the Federal Court of Australia, alleging that the company had engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct by failing to protect the personal data of millions of Australians.

The ACCC's case is centered around the Cambridge Analytica data breach, which occurred in 2014. Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, had accessed the data of millions of Facebook users without their consent, using an app that was supposed to be used for a psychological research project. The data was then used to influence elections and political campaigns.

The ACCC alleges that Facebook failed to adequately protect the personal data of its users, including Australians, and that the company's actions were misleading or deceptive. The regulator is seeking penalties, including fines, and orders to prevent Facebook from engaging in similar conduct in the future.

This is a significant case, as it marks one of the first times a government regulator has taken legal action against Facebook over the Cambridge Analytica data breach. The outcome of the case could have important implications for the way tech companies handle personal data and for the protection of consumer privacy.

It's worth noting that Facebook has already faced numerous investigations and fines over the Cambridge Analytica data breach, including a $5 billion fine from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2019. However, the ACCC's case is significant because it is the first time a regulator has taken legal action against Facebook in Australia over the breach.