Ups, I did it again: Facebook accidently stored emails of more than 1,5 million users

Facebook by accident downloaded contacts from emails of more than 1,5 million users.

Since May 2016 for confirmation of accounts, social network asked not only emails of some users, but also passwords from them. Users were supposed to voluntary upload their contacts.

Later company changed this function and deleted message that informed customers about import of contacts. Company’ representatives say that collected information was used for improvement of advertisement’s targeting and recommendation of friends.

“We estimate that up to 1.5 million people’s email contacts may have been uploaded. These contacts were not shared with anyone and we’re deleting them. We’ve fixed the underlying issue and are notifying people whose contacts were imported. People can also review and manage the contacts they share with Facebook in their settings.”, – the Facebook spokesperson said in a statement.

Earlier cybersecurity specialist known as e-suchi noticed that Facebook asked to provide email and password during the registration without giving alternative ways of verification. In company promised to stop this practice.

message of user e-suchi

It is not the first time information leaks Facebook. The most significant scandal took place a year ago when social network was accused data leakage to British agency Cambridge Analytica. This agency is suspected in constant interference in elections, including US Presidential campaign.

Source: www.businessinsider.com