Zuckerberg apologises over major data breach

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has apologised for a “major breach of trust” and admitted the social network made mistakes which led to an international data scandal.

UK firm Cambridge Analytica is accused of improperly using data from 50 million Facebook profiles to help Donald Trump win the 2016 US presidential election.

Mr Zuckerberg said the political consultancy had provided formal assurances that the data had been destroyed after Facebook first learned of the breach in 2015.

Read also: Why WhatsApp co-founder wants users to delete Facebook app

In an interview with CNN, he said he was “really sorry” and accepted that some people were trying to use the site for political ends.

He also said he would be happy to appear before US Congress “if it’s the right thing to do”.

Facebook has been rocked in recent days by the row involving Cambridge Analytica, which has prompted calls from politicians on both sides of the Atlantic for Mr Zuckerberg to answer questions.

 

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