‘State must have say in Facebook breach’

A data protection expert has called for the State to intervene in the investigation into the use of Facebook data by Cambridge Analytica, and has warned that an Oireachtas bill could legalise such data-harvesting.

The Data Protection Commissioner (DPC), Helen Dixon, says that her office is checking with Facebook what oversight it has to monitor how app developers and third parties use the social media site.

However, solicitor Fred Logue, who specialises in data protection and information law, said he does not believe the public can rely on assurances from those involved.