This included disinformation, attempts by foreign countries to influence elections, and risks to personal data. Collins said the age of inadequate self-regulation must end, following an 18-month investigation that concluded Facebook had "intentionally and knowingly violated both data privacy and anti-competition laws." Lawmakers in Europe and the United States are scrambling to get to grips with the risks posed by big tech companies regulating the platforms used by billions of people. The British committee does not propose legislation, but does have the power to summon witnesses for its investigations. "We believe that in its evidence to the committee Facebook has often deliberately sought to frustrate our work, by giving incomplete, disingenuous and at times misleading answers to our questions," Collins said.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 18, 2019 15:56 UTC