Cambridge Analytica Row: IT Ministry Seeks Info From Facebook

“There is need for further information about the data breach from Facebook,” IT Ministry said.

(Photo: Ankita Das/The Quint)

The Indian Ministry of Information Technology sought information from social media mogul Facebook by 7 April over the alleged breach of private user data by British firm Cambridge Analytica.

The government sought answers from Facebook on whether the personal data of Indian voters has been compromised by Cambridge Analytica, ANI reported. It also questioned if Facebook or agencies utilising the social media site’s data have previously been engaged by any entities to manipulate the Indian electoral process.

The IT ministry said “there is need for further information about the data breach from Facebook,” ANI reported.

Earlier on 23 March, the government had issued a notice to Cambridge Analytica, asking it to give a list of clients and the source of data it had collected. The IT ministry has asked Cambridge Analytica to respond by 31 March on six questions, including how the company had collected user data, whether consent was taken from the individuals, and how the data was used.

On 21 March, Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had issued a “stern observation” to Facebook (FB) CEO Mark Zuckerberg warning of “stringent action” if any attempt was made by them to influence the country's electoral process.

Mr Mark Zuckerberg, you better note the observation of the IT minister of India. We welcome the FB profile in India, but if any data theft of Indians is done through the collusion of FB system, it shall not be tolerated. We have got stringent power in the IT Act, we shall use it, including summoning you in India.  

Ravi Shankar Prasad, Union Minister for Law and IT