The researchers say the disputed tool is vital to understanding how Facebook has been used to as a conduit for disinformation and manipulation. The executive, Allison Hendrix, said the tool violates Facebook rules prohibiting automated bulk collection of data from the site. Company spokesman Joe Osborne said in an emailed statement Saturday that Facebook “informed NYU months ago that moving forward with a project to scrape people's Facebook information would violate our terms." The company has long claimed protecting user privacy is its main concern, though NYU researchers say their tool is programmed so the data collected from participating volunteers is anonymous. “The public has a right to know what political ads are being run and how they are being targeted.

Source: Mint October 24, 2020 20:03 UTC