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Watchdog ready to ‘look behind scenes’ to ensure Facebook’s data is used properly

Facebook suspended 200 apps last week - AP
Facebook suspended 200 apps last week - AP

The data protection watchdog will this week be granted fresh powers that will allow it to access Facebook’s secretive source code, to ensure it is compliant with new data protection law.

From Friday, the Information Commissioner’s Office will have the power to inspect a private company’s intellectual property through algorithm audits, to see that computer programmes are mining and processing European citizen’s personal information in a “transparent” and “fair” manner.

Steve Woods, the ICO’s deputy commissioner, said that enforcement officers would visit the Dublin site if it grew concerned that Facebook was improperly processing data. It would also look to make sure programmes worked in the way the social network claimed they did.

ICO officers enter Cambridge Analytica - Credit: PA
ICO officers enter Cambridge Analytica Credit: PA

If it is found to be in breach, the tech giant faces a $1.1bn (£820m) fine. Facebook’s data crunching system, which decides what ads people see, is its most prized property.

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“You need a regulator to verify whether the claims are correct in terms of how the data is used," he said. "We will be looking behind the scenes on behalf of the public.”

There has been confusion surrounding how Facebook has been ­using its 2bn users’ information, with Mr Zuckerberg forced to apologise after it emerged that a political campaigning group had been able to access personal information on 87m users in 2014.

Last week, it admitted it had suspended 200 apps over concerns they had abused its information sharing tool.