Facebook Defends Controversial Data Collection App in Internal Memo
Facebook releases an internal memo attempting to justify its paid user data collection program after TechCrunch exposes the controversial practices.
Facebook publishes an internal memo from VP Pedro Canahuati to address the fallout over TechCrunch's investigation into its data collection practices. The memo reveals that Apple reinstates Facebook's enterprise certificates, allowing the company to rebuild essential apps like Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram for internal use after Apple punishes the tech giant for policy violations.
The social network attempts to defend its Facebook Research program by claiming the initiative is not secret and does not constitute spying. Facebook recruits users between the ages of 13 and 35 to install a research app and VPN that grants the company root network access to analyze all smartphone traffic, a practice that raises significant privacy concerns.
Despite the intense public scrutiny and the shutdown of the program on iOS devices, the data collection continues to operate on Android. Facebook frames the operation as standard market research designed to understand consumer behavior, even as critics denounce the company for essentially purchasing users' private digital information.