British Parliament Called "Digital Gangsters" by Facebook Leaders

The scandal of misuse of information of more than 87 million users of Facebook continues to add chapters. Now MPs have investigated the social network for the consultant scandal Cambridge Analytica, which closed last year when he revealed he had used an app to collect millions of user data, which could be used to influence US President Donald Trump's election campaign in 2016.

The report of the Committee on Culture, Media, Digital Media and Sports described Facebook's leaders as "digital gangsters". violation of privacy laws and they put the profits of the shareholders before the data protection of the users.

As the Committee explained, Mark Zuckerberg's social network requires increased regulation, with the implementation of urgent and more stringent measures to stop the spread of misinformation on your platform.

To combat "harmful" or "illegal" content and to protect users' personal data, the report recommends the creation of a "binding code of ethics" in the United Kingdom and independent regulator watch and to impose its conformity even with judicial actions or heavy fines.

"Democracy is in danger, it targets citizens with inaccurate and unreliable information, misinformation and" obscure ads "from unidentifiable sources, broadcast via the major social media platforms we use every day."

In its report of more than 100 pages, the report also asks the government to conduct an "independent investigation" on foreign influence, including Russian, and misinformation in the referendum on Brexit, but also in the general elections of mid-2017 and the referendum on the independence of Scotland in 2014.

The British Parliament criticized Mark Zuckerberg, saying he had not demonstrated his "leadership or personal responsibility" with regard to the false news.

"Democracy runs the risk of targeting, with mischievous and unrelenting citizens, misinformation and" shadow ads "from unidentifiable sources, broadcast via the major social media platforms we use every day," says document.

Europe studies regular technology giants

The UK joins other countries in the region which, like Germany or France, have already warned about the need to regulate and monitor the actions of this type of society.

In early February, the German agency in charge of competition limited the use by Facebook of its users' data, prohibiting it from taking advantage of information collected by other websites or its subsidiaries, including Instagram and WhatsApp.

In November, the French Parliament pbaded two bills to fight against "manipulation of information " during the election period.

"A radical change in the power relationship between these platforms and the public is needed and we must end the era of inadequate self-regulation," said the British Damian Collins, chairman of the Commission of the culture, digital, media and sports. the House of Commons.

In November, MPs arrived in London from Argentina, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, France, Ireland, Latvia and Singapore.