A New York grand jury has subpoenaed evidence from cell phone manufacturers as part of a federal criminal investigation of Facebook’s data-sharing deals with other tech companies, according to a new report from the New York Times.
The Times had previously reported on its finding that Facebook had partnered with companies, including smartphone makers, and allowed them to access the private data of hundreds of millions of its users without their permission — and even in ways that appear to have intentionally avoided asking for permission.
Facebook seemed to confirm the report by telling the Times it is “cooperating” with investigators.
“We’ve provided public testimony, answered questions and pledged that we will continue to do so,” it said in a statement.
According to the Times, Facebook’s deals with more than 150 different companies let them “see users’ friends, contact information and other data, sometimes without consent.”
Other investigators have already been scrutinizing Facebook regarding other matters, including its relationship with Cambridge Analytica, the political firm that nefariously harvested user data and worked with the Trump campaign.
Shares