Mark Zuckerberg could become Facebooks designated compliance officer

Facebook may be facing more than just a $3 to $5 billion fine from the Federal Trade Commission.

According to a report in Politico, the FTC may require Facebook to create a privacy oversight committee as well as appoint a “federally approved privacy official” at the company. The committee would be “independent” but could consist of Facebook board members. 

The FTC could also designate Mark Zuckerberg as the company’s “designated compliance officer,” in which he would assume personal accountability for Facebook’s privacy failures. 

It’s a way for the government to send a message about data privacy to other big tech companies. But some civil rights groups say that the “independent” committee—which would involve Facebook executives—wouldn’t go far enough to prevent future privacy violations.

Speaking to Politico, the Electronic Privacy Information Center’s Marc Rotenberg blasted the settlement details as “not meaningful.” 

“A board doesn’t create new privacy rights for internet users,” he said. “And to say that Mark Zuckerberg is personally responsible — Mark Zuckerberg is Facebook, so what does that mean? It doesn’t add anything.”

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Others were quick to point out that Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of the company, has been in charge during countless Facebook data leaks and violations, including the Cambridge Analytica scandal.

In addition to the FTC probe, the social media company is also facing a criminal investigation concerning its data-sharing practices with third parties.

Facebook talked about its privacy issues at its F8 developer conference earlier this week.

“Today we’re going to talk about building a privacy-focused social platform,” said Zuckerberg at the event. “Privacy gives us the freedom to be ourselves. That’s why I believe the future is private.”

The negotiation between Facebook and the FTC is ongoing.

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