WASHINGTON – Following the appearance of Facebook Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mark Zuckerberg before the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) is urging Zuckerberg to provide him with the number of Nevadans impacted by the improper collection of Facebook users’ data after 87 million Facebook users had their information wrongfully obtained by a third party developer without every user’s consent.

Heller, a member of the U.S. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, asked Zuckerberg during his testimony for the number of Nevadans who had their information wrongfully obtained. Zuckerberg could not answer the question at the time of his hearing. However, Zuckerberg did acknowledge that Facebook’s 87 million users are victims of having their information given away without their consent in response to Heller.

In a letter sent to Zuckerberg, Heller said that Nevadans and all Americans expect their personal information to be protected and utilized consistent with Facebook’s privacy policy.

“Safeguarding Americans’ privacy is critically important to me. I expect that companies be transparent about their data practices and comply with their public commitments, such as a privacy policy,” wrote Heller. “As I requested during my questioning, can you provide me the number of Nevadans who were among the 87 million impacted by this misuse of data? Furthermore, you stated that Facebook is conducting an investigation of other app developers that had access to users’ friends’ information prior to your 2014 policy changes. Once this investigation concludes, I respectfully request an update on whether additional Nevadans faced a misuse of their data by a third party.”

The letter reads in full below.

April 19, 2018

Mark Zuckerberg
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Facebook, Inc.
1 Hacker Way
Menlo Park, CA 94025

Dear Mr. Zuckerberg:

Thank you for your appearance before a joint hearing of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation and Senate Judiciary Committees to discuss safeguarding consumers’ online privacy in the wake of Cambridge Analytica obtaining the personal information of 87 million Facebook users that was collected by a third party developer without every user’s consent.  I appreciate the opportunity to follow up on our discussion.

Safeguarding Americans’ privacy is critically important to me. I expect that companies be transparent about their data practices and comply with their public commitments, such as a privacy policy. Nevadans and all Americans expect their personal information to be protected and utilized consistent with Facebook’s privacy policy. For 87 million Facebook users, this was not the case, and I appreciate your recognition that these individuals are victims in this case. That is why I want to ensure Nevadans fully understand how many individuals in our state were impacted. 

As I requested during my questioning, can you provide me the number of Nevadans who were among the 87 million impacted by this misuse of data? Furthermore, you stated that Facebook is conducting an investigation of other app developers that had access to users’ friends’ information prior to your 2014 policy changes. Once this investigation concludes, I respectfully request an update on whether additional Nevadans faced a misuse of their data by a third party.

Again, thank you for coming before Congress to discuss these critical issues and Facebook’s role in being accountable to its consumers and their privacy. As Congress continues examining data privacy and maintaining innovation in the Internet and technology sectors, your input and insights are appreciated.  Please provide a response by April 26, 2018.

Sincerely,

DEAN HELLER
U.S. Senator