Inquiry calls for greater Facebook regulation

An inquiry from the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee has called for greater Facebook regulation to shift the power from the corporations to the people.

Recommendations include an independent regulator that could be responsible for enforcing an ethical code of conduct that all tech firms must adhere to. They could also be handed powers to bring legal proceedings for breaches and enforce new rules for tech firms to prevent and remove disinformation, false news and harmful content.

The inquiry was launched off the back of the Cambridge Analytica scandal and also focuses on the misuse of personal data as well.

New powers called for to enforce better Facebook regulation

The new powers being called for in efforts to enforce improved Facebook regulation are aimed at protecting the people. And it’s the people whose data is at risk here, and it’s the people who are on the receiving end of false news that’s so easy to share that it spreads like wildfire.

People involved in the inquiry have reportedly accused Facebook of intentionally trying to frustrate their work. Facebook has also been accused of failing to address  known issues, and were also accused of giving “incomplete, disingenuous and at times misleading answers” to questions.

Facebook has reportedly commented to say that they’re open to “meaningful regulation”.

The importance of greater Facebook regulation

The importance of greater tech firm and Facebook regulation cannot be understated. We’re sharing so much of our data online with these companies, and it can be used by criminals to cause harm and financial loss. On top of that, we sometimes don’t know just how much of our data is being shared with third-parties.

And sometimes we agree to it without really understanding what it means.

Despite the recent spate of Facebook data breach incidents, the problem goes beyond; to the third-parties who may not be as secure as a social media giant. How many sites and apps do you log into now using your Facebook profile nowadays? Its something people need to be careful about.

Greater tech firm and Facebook regulation can only be a good thing on the face of it. We’ll be keeping a close eye on developments.