Facebook's data changes will hamper research and oversight, academics warn

A group of the world's leading internet academics say Facebook's decision to tighten access to user data in reaction to the Cambridge Analytica scandal will actually hamper genuine research and oversight of the platform. An open letter, signed by 27 researchers and published on Wednesday, said while the privacy changes might generate positive publicity for Facebook and its chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, they were "likely to compound the real problem, further diminishing transparency and opportunities for independent oversight". On 4 April, Facebook announced it would make changes to protect the privacy of users, including restricting access to application program interfaces used by third parties to access data. "The net effect of the new API restrictions is to lock out third parties and consolidate Facebook's position as the main analytics and advertising broker," the open letter says. "Contrary to popular belief, these changes are as much about strengthening Facebook's business model of data control as they are about actually improving data privacy for users."