The state of Texas on Monday sued Facebook's parent company Meta over privacy protection issues stating that its facial recognition system collected biometric data of citizens without their consent.

The Texas lawsuit alleged that Facebook captured biometric information from photos and videos without the users' consent as Attorney General Ken Paxton said it was an example of "big tech’s deceitful business practices".

However, Meta spokesperson said the "claims are without merit" while vowing to "defend itself vigorously".&nbsp;

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Mark Zuckerberg's company&nbsp;had declared last year that it would be shutting down its facial recognition system and would delete people's information. Two years ago it had agreed to pay $650 million in a similar privacy case. It was said to be the largest ever settlement of a privacy lawsuit at the time.

The Illinois lawsuit was filed in 2015 over Facebook's photo-tagging feature as it used the facial recognition system&nbsp;as attorney Edelson asserted that "biometrics along with geolocation were the two primary battlegrounds".

Watch:&nbsp;Facebook reports a decline in daily active users

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In a similar move, the Texas lawsuit said Facebook had captured biometric identifiers of Texans "without consent not hundreds, or thousands, or millions of times but billions of times."

“Facebook will no longer take advantage of people and their children with the intent to turn a profit at the expense of one’s safety and well-being,” Paxton said.

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Facebook has been under fire over various issues. Last year whistleblower Frances Haugen had alleged that adults perceive Facebook content as "boring, misleading, and negative" after she leaked documents highlighting the social network's effect on teens and users' well-being. Facebook however dismissed Haugen's charges.

(With inputs from Agencies)

The state of Texas on Monday sued Facebook's parent company Meta over privacy protection issues stating that its facial recognition system collected biometric data of citizens without their consent.

The state of Texas on Monday sued Facebook's parent company Meta over privacy protection issues stating that its facial recognition system collected biometric data of citizens without their consent. The Texas lawsuit alleged that Facebook captured biometric information from photos and videos without the users' consent as Attorney General Ken Paxton said it was an example of "big tech’s deceitful business practices". However, Meta spokesperson said the "claims are without merit" while vowing to "defend itself vigorously". Also Read in Pics | Facebook's AI reality: Scroll images on a computer screen by just thinking about it Mark Zuckerberg's company had declared last year that it would be shutting down its facial recognition system and would delete people's information. Two years ago it had agreed to pay $650 million in a similar privacy case. It was said to be the largest ever settlement of a privacy lawsuit at the time. The Illinois lawsuit was filed in 2015 over Facebook's photo-tagging feature as it used the facial recognition system as attorney Edelson asserted that "biometrics along with geolocation were the two primary battlegrounds". Watch: Facebook reports a decline in daily active users In a similar move, the Texas lawsuit said Facebook had captured biometric identifiers of Texans "without consent not hundreds, or thousands, or millions of times but billions of times." “Facebook will no longer take advantage of people and their children with the intent to turn a profit at the expense of one’s safety and well-being,” Paxton said. Also Read in Pics | From Instagram to Whatsapp: Victims of Facebook's 'buy and bury' strategy Facebook has been under fire over various issues. Last year whistleblower Frances Haugen had alleged that adults perceive Facebook content as "boring, misleading, and negative" after she leaked documents highlighting the social network's effect on teens and users' well-being. Facebook however dismissed Haugen's charges. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Deceitful business': Texas sues Meta's Facebook over facial recognition system

Reports claim Facebook has asked the Los Angeles police to stop making fake accounts and halt attempts to collect data of users.

Facebook in a letter reportedly told the Los Angles Police Department (LAPD) that it had set up fake accounts to carry out surveillance as it directed the department not to undertake such activities.

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The police department was reportedly working with a tech company which analysed user data to solve crimes.

The report comes as Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen expressed concern over Facebook's "metaverse" which is a virtual reality platform over privacy issues.

Haugen said it was "super problematic" as the company was seeking to monitor people. The former Facebook employee had earlier leaked files while questioning Facebook's policies and its effect on young people as she alleged&nbsp;that the company put profits before the safety of users.

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Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg had hit back at Haugen's allegation saying that it was "deeply illogical". The company said although it aims at profits but allegations that it does so at the "expense of people’s safety" is a "lie"&nbsp;

Haugen applauded EU's&nbsp;Digital Services Act as a "global gold standard" with "huge potential" while adding that Facebook cannot remain the "judge, jury, prosecutor and witness".

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"The decisions made by Facebook's leadership are a big problem. For children, for public safety and for democracy," the Facebook whistleblower asserted.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Reports claim Facebook has asked the Los Angeles police to stop making fake accounts and halt attempts to collect data of users. Facebook in a letter reportedly told the Los Angles Police Department (LAPD) that it had set up fake accounts to carry out surveillance as it directed the department not to undertake such activities.

Reports claim Facebook has asked the Los Angeles police to stop making fake accounts and halt attempts to collect data of users. Facebook in a letter reportedly told the Los Angles Police Department (LAPD) that it had set up fake accounts to carry out surveillance as it directed the department not to undertake such activities. Also Read: Facebook advertisers promoted false claims about climate change during COP26 summit The police department was reportedly working with a tech company which analysed user data to solve crimes. The report comes as Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen expressed concern over Facebook's "metaverse" which is a virtual reality platform over privacy issues. Haugen said it was "super problematic" as the company was seeking to monitor people. The former Facebook employee had earlier leaked files while questioning Facebook's policies and its effect on young people as she alleged that the company put profits before the safety of users. Also Read: Facebook still harvesting teen data to fuel ads, warns research Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg had hit back at Haugen's allegation saying that it was "deeply illogical". The company said although it aims at profits but allegations that it does so at the "expense of people’s safety" is a "lie" Haugen applauded EU's Digital Services Act as a "global gold standard" with "huge potential" while adding that Facebook cannot remain the "judge, jury, prosecutor and witness". Also Read: Indian-American hired woman to slap him for using Facebook; Elon Musk approves "The decisions made by Facebook's leadership are a big problem. For children, for public safety and for democracy," the Facebook whistleblower asserted. (With inputs from Agencies)

Facebook warns Los Angeles police not to create fake accounts, stop collecting user data

According to reports, the US government has allegedly issued warrants for&nbsp;search giant Google to provide data on people typing specific search terms.

A Forbes report said the FBI is issuing "keyword warrants" asking Google to provide data amid fears that innocent users may get caught.

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It is however unclear how many such warrants have been issued and just how much data authorities reportedly have already.

Google has reportedly defended its move asserting that it carries&nbsp;out a "rigorous process" and protects the privacy of users while supporting law enforcement officials.

The report comes amid a row over Facebook's privacy policies after a whistleblower claimed the social media giant should be regulated since its harms children and puts profits over public safety.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/critics-warn-of-apple-google-chokepoint-repression-413904">Also Read:&nbsp;Critics warn of Apple, Google 'chokepoint' repression</a>

Facebook's ex-employee Frances Haugen told US lawmakers that Facebook stokes "division and weakens our democracy" as she urged the US Congress&nbsp;to take action.

However, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg dismissed the allegations as "deeply illogical" saying: &nbsp;"I don't know any tech company that sets out to build products that make people angry or depressed."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-grill-facebook-over-teen-mental-health-417319">Also Read:&nbsp;US lawmakers grill Facebook over teen mental health</a>

US lawmakers have been threatening for years to regulate social media companies.&nbsp;Senator Ed Markey said Mark "Zuckerberg's time of invading privacy was over" after&nbsp;Haugen's testimony.

Senator Amy Klobuchar added that Haugen testimony&nbsp;was a "catalyst for action" even as Zuckerberg defended the company.

According to reports, the US government has allegedly issued warrants for search giant Google to provide data on people typing specific search terms. A Forbes report said the FBI is issuing "keyword warrants" asking Google to provide data amid fears that innocent users may get caught.

According to reports, the US government has allegedly issued warrants for search giant Google to provide data on people typing specific search terms. A Forbes report said the FBI is issuing "keyword warrants" asking Google to provide data amid fears that innocent users may get caught. Also Read: Zuckerberg hits out at Facebook whistleblower It is however unclear how many such warrants have been issued and just how much data authorities reportedly have already. Google has reportedly defended its move asserting that it carries out a "rigorous process" and protects the privacy of users while supporting law enforcement officials. The report comes amid a row over Facebook's privacy policies after a whistleblower claimed the social media giant should be regulated since its harms children and puts profits over public safety. Also Read: Critics warn of Apple, Google 'chokepoint' repression Facebook's ex-employee Frances Haugen told US lawmakers that Facebook stokes "division and weakens our democracy" as she urged the US Congress to take action. However, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg dismissed the allegations as "deeply illogical" saying: "I don't know any tech company that sets out to build products that make people angry or depressed." Also Read: US lawmakers grill Facebook over teen mental health US lawmakers have been threatening for years to regulate social media companies. Senator Ed Markey said Mark "Zuckerberg's time of invading privacy was over" after Haugen's testimony. Senator Amy Klobuchar added that Haugen testimony was a "catalyst for action" even as Zuckerberg defended the company.

US government orders Google to track people searching specific names: Report

Most of Facebook's US users have remained loyal to the social network despite revelations that a political consultancy collected information about millions of accounts without owners' permission,&nbsppoll released on Sunday showed.

Facebook has faced pressure from regulators, privacy advocates and shareholders since it said in March that political consultant Cambridge Analytica wrongly obtained personal data through a quiz app connected to Facebook. US lawmakers grilled Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg for two days on the matter.

The&nbsppoll adds to other indications that Facebook has so far suffered no ill effects from the episode, other than a public relations a headache.

The national online poll, conducted April 26-30, found that about half of Facebook's American users said they had not recently changed the amount that they used the site, and another quarter said they were using it more.

The remaining quarter said that they were using it less recently, had stopped using it or deleted their account.

That means that the people using Facebook less were roughly balanced by those using it more, with no clear net loss or gain in use.

Among all adults, 64 per cent said they use Facebook at least once a day, down slightly from 68 per cent who said so in a similar poll in late March, shortly after news organizations reported Cambridge Analytica's activity.

Analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities said Facebook is lucky the data apparently has been used only for political ads and not more nefarious purposes.

"I have yet to read an article that says a single person has been harmed by the breach," he said. "Nobody's outraged on a visceral level."

Facebook declined to comment. Its executives have apologized for the data-harvesting, pledged to investigate others who collected Facebook user data and reduced the amount of data available to similar app developers now.

The Cambridge Analytica scandal broke on March 16, sparking interest online in the hashtag #deletefacebook.

In its first quarter results, however, Facebook said the number of monthly users in the United States and Canada rose to 241 million on March 31 from 239 million on December 31, growth that was roughly in line with recent years.

According to the poll, more Facebook users said they knew how to guard their personal information on the site than users of other social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest and Tumblr.

It found that 74 per cent of Facebook users said they were aware of their current privacy settings, and 78 per cent said they knew how to change them.

In comparison, 60 per cent of Instagram users said they knew their current privacy settings and 65 per cent said they knew how to change them. And 55 per cent of Twitter users knew their privacy settings, and 58 per cent knew how to use them.

Despite their understanding of Facebook's privacy settings, only 23 per cent of its users said they have "total control" over the information they store on the platform. Another 49 per cent said they have "some control," and 20 per cent said they had "no control." The remaining 9 per cent said they do not know how much control they have.

The poll was conducted online in English throughout the United States. It gathered responses from 2,194 adults, including 1,938 Facebook users, 1,167 Twitter users and 1,237 Instagram users. It has a credibility interval of 3 percentage points, meaning that the results could vary in either direction by that amount.

Facebook has faced pressure from regulators, privacy advocates and shareholders since it said in March that political consultant Cambridge Analytica wrongly obtained personal data through a quiz app connected to Facebook. US lawmakers grilled Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg for two days on the matter

Most of Facebook's US users have remained loyal to the social network despite revelations that a political consultancy collected information about millions of accounts without owners' permission,&nbsppoll released on Sunday showed. Facebook has faced pressure from regulators, privacy advocates and shareholders since it said in March that political consultant Cambridge Analytica wrongly obtained personal data through a quiz app connected to Facebook. US lawmakers grilled Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg for two days on the matter. The&nbsppoll adds to other indications that Facebook has so far suffered no ill effects from the episode, other than a public relations a headache. The national online poll, conducted April 26-30, found that about half of Facebook's American users said they had not recently changed the amount that they used the site, and another quarter said they were using it more. The remaining quarter said that they were using it less recently, had stopped using it or deleted their account. That means that the people using Facebook less were roughly balanced by those using it more, with no clear net loss or gain in use. Among all adults, 64 per cent said they use Facebook at least once a day, down slightly from 68 per cent who said so in a similar poll in late March, shortly after news organizations reported Cambridge Analytica's activity. Analyst Michael Pachter of Wedbush Securities said Facebook is lucky the data apparently has been used only for political ads and not more nefarious purposes. "I have yet to read an article that says a single person has been harmed by the breach," he said. "Nobody's outraged on a visceral level." Facebook declined to comment. Its executives have apologized for the data-harvesting, pledged to investigate others who collected Facebook user data and reduced the amount of data available to similar app developers now. The Cambridge Analytica scandal broke on March 16, sparking interest online in the hashtag #deletefacebook. In its first quarter results, however, Facebook said the number of monthly users in the United States and Canada rose to 241 million on March 31 from 239 million on December 31, growth that was roughly in line with recent years. According to the poll, more Facebook users said they knew how to guard their personal information on the site than users of other social media platforms such as Snapchat, Instagram, Pinterest and Tumblr. It found that 74 per cent of Facebook users said they were aware of their current privacy settings, and 78 per cent said they knew how to change them. In comparison, 60 per cent of Instagram users said they knew their current privacy settings and 65 per cent said they knew how to change them. And 55 per cent of Twitter users knew their privacy settings, and 58 per cent knew how to use them. Despite their understanding of Facebook's privacy settings, only 23 per cent of its users said they have "total control" over the information they store on the platform. Another 49 per cent said they have "some control," and 20 per cent said they had "no control." The remaining 9 per cent said they do not know how much control they have. The poll was conducted online in English throughout the United States. It gathered responses from 2,194 adults, including 1,938 Facebook users, 1,167 Twitter users and 1,237 Instagram users. It has a credibility interval of 3 percentage points, meaning that the results could vary in either direction by that amount.

Three-quarters Facebook users as active or more since privacy scandal: Poll