Meta files suit against Voyager Labs. The company allegedly used fake accounts to scrape user data and sift through it with its surveillance software.
Meta doesn’t like us taking user data, at least without its consent. In a blog post, the group announces that it will sue Voyager Labs. Meta accuses the company of violating its terms of use. Specifically, creating thousands of fake accounts to collect data from other users and analyze it with its surveillance software. Which, presumably, can predict criminal behavior based on online activity.
600,000 interested users
Voyager Labs isn’t on its first attempt. In 2019, the company sold its services to the LAPD, the LAPD. However, the authorities believe, after evaluation, that the technology presented is inconsistent. Worse, it would be biased and racially discriminatory. According to Meta, the company uses its own software to “scrape” user data when they log into Facebook. The data collected includes, but is not limited to, user profile information, posts, friends lists, photos and comments.
In all, Voyager Labs has reportedly mined data from more than 600,000 users. This with the help of 38,000 fake accounts. While most are now deactivated, the damage is done. As to how such a maneuver could have happened under Meta’s nose, the group has its own explanation: “Voyager used different networks in different countries to hide its activity, even when Meta audited or audited fake accounts”.
Note that Facebook wouldn’t be Voyager Labs’ only playground. Also according to Meta, the company does the same on Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Telegram. For its part, the social network giant expects justice to prohibit access to its platforms for Voyager Labs. Obviously the group is asking for damages, the amount of which “it will be proved at trial”.
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