The US Federal Trade Commission is investigating Facebook's privacy practices following a week of scandals including whether the company engaged in "unfair acts" which cause "substantial injury" to consumers.

Politicians and regulators are demanding answers from the social media giant in the wake of revelations about the use of users’ personal information, writes Ben Brody

Facebook is under fire following reports that the personal data of 50 million users were obtained by an analytics firm that helped elect US president Donald Trump.

Shares in Facebook continued their sharp slide, extending their dip this week to around 10% that has cost CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg around $10bn (€8bn) in paper losses.

Apple is piling onto lawsuits that attack the way Qualcomm licenses technology for mobile phones in a widespread effort to rake back profits in a slowing market.

Uber Technologies is paying 20 million dollars (£16.2 million) to settle allegations that it duped people into driving for its ride-hailing service.

Holcim and Lafarge will divest plants, terminals and an Iowa quarry to win US regulatory approval for a merger between the European cement makers that will form the industry’s biggest producer.

The body that regulates internet addresses is investigating if it can crack down on a Canadian company accused of using the new .sucks domain name to extract exorbitant sums from celebrities and firms seeking to protect their public brands.

Google lost an appellate court bid to block a UK lawsuit filed by a group of internet users who say the world’s biggest search engine violated their privacy rights.

Earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) at Ardagh Group for the second quarter of the year was €204m — a 6% increase over the same period in 2013. EBITA for the full year to the end of June was €760m. 

FTC says the company has not done enough to stop kids making unauthorised purchases, writes Joe Kloc

Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel apologised for profanity- laced emails that he sent during his college days that celebrated getting drunk and convincing women to perform sexual acts.

Snapchat has agreed to settle with the US Federal Trade Commission over charges that it deceived customers about the disappearing nature of messages sent through its service and that it collected users’ contacts without telling them or asking permission.

The Irish-owned glass and packaging group, Ardagh has announced the raising of $1.53bn (€1.12bn) in fresh debt financing to fund its stalled takeover of Verallia North America (VNA).

Parents hit with hundreds of pounds in unexpected charges when their children bought virtual pet food, gems or other items while playing games on mobile devices will be getting refunds from Apple.

Apple goes to trial today over allegations by US federal and state authorities that it conspired with publishers to raise the price of e-books.

Google will pay $22.5m (€17.84m) to settle charges that it bypassed the privacy settings of customers using Apple’s Safari browser, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said yesterday.

WHEN reading the following untruth, stop and have a think for a second.

MEPs voted against the advice of the World Health Organisation, the EU Food Safety Authority and health and consumer bodies to allow food companies boast of the effects of adding a synthetic fatty acid to infant formula.

A privacy watchdog group has complained to US regulators about Google’s new Buzz social networking service, saying it breaks consumer protection law.

A new online tool from Yahoo will let users see and edit the personal profiles the internet company compiles about them to target online advertising.

One of the world’s biggest email spam operations has been smashed by police in New Zealand.

ISEQ listed food group Glanbia plc today announced the acquisition of a California based nutritional business Seltzer Companies Inc for €81.8m.

Drinks giant Allied Domecq was today closer to being swallowed by rival Pernod Ricard after regulators in the United States gave the deal the green light.

At least one British company is among six accused of sending X-rated e-mails in disguise, and fraudulently charging recipients who joined sexually explicit websites, to be shut down by US authorities.

Athlone-based pharmaceutical company Elan today announced that legal eagle Richard C. Collier would be joining the company as executive vice president and general counsel at the end of the month.

A global alliance is needed to fight the growing tide of spam emails, the UK's Office of Fair Trading (OFT) said today.

Sony and BMG, the music unit of the German media conglomerate Bertelsmann AG, said today they had completed the merging of their music businesses.

Shares in British American Tobacco leapt forward today after regulators removed a major hurdle to a merger involving the company’s US operation.

PFIZER INC, the world’s largest drugmaker’s €53.7bn takeover of Pharmacia Corp is not expected to result in any jobs losses at the enlarged company’s Irish production plants employing close to 1,500 people.

A SPECIAL team of gardaí have joined forces with the Competition Authority to combat price-fixers who are ripping off consumers by more than 600m euro a year.

P&O Princess, the cruise group at the centre of a takeover battle, today increased its fleet of ships in a $150m (€154m) deal.

THE Competition Authority has still not prosecuted a single cartel despite estimates that price-fixing is costing consumers more than 600m euro each year.

Diageo has gained approval for its £5.7bn purchase of Seagram's wine and spirits business.