Report: Facebook Shared User Data with Device Manufacturers

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society. Facebook gave at least 60 device manufacturers, including Apple, Blackberry, Samsung, Amazon, and Microsoft, access to huge amounts of data about users and their friends, the New York Times reported on Sunday. These companies in some cases received access to information about a user's religion, political views, relationship statuses, and other personal details. The manufacturers also reportedly got access to information on users' friends, even if they tried to prohibit their data from being shared with third parties. Facebook recently landed in hot water when revelations surfaced in March that a third-party quiz app was able to collect information from users and their friends.