Facebook is finally cracking down on personality quiz apps that collect a massive amount of data on users

In wake of 2018’s Cambridge Analytica data scandal, social media giant Facebook has finally decided to pull plug on third-party apps that collect an ermous amount of data on its users. Hence, Facebook will longer allow third-party apps with ‘minimal utility’ to operate on its platform. For example, apps like personality quizzes will cease to exist on Facebook going forward.

Facebook has a valid reason to be wary of se third-party apps collecting a massive amount of data on users. Personal data collected on users via a personality quiz app was, in fact, driving force behind entire Cambridge Analytica controversy last year. move, however, comes more than a year after controversy erupted in March 2018.

Cambridge Analytica data scandal involved data harvesting of more than 80 million users and data was later used to meddle with 2016 US presidential election campaign, without users’ consent.

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Facebook also clarifies third-party apps may t ask for data that doesn't enrich in-app, user experience. Commenting on this move, here’s what Facebook’s product manment director Eddie O'Neil, had to say in his official blog post:

“As part of our ongoing commitments to privacy and security, we are making updates to our platform. se updates include removing access to a number of APIs, updating our platform policies, and regularly evaluating an app's access to user permissions.”

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Facebook said in its blog post all existing apps using se APIs will longer have access as of July 30, 2019, whereas new apps will t have access to se APIs as of April 30, 2019.

Previously approved user permissions that apps have t accessed in last three months 90 days shall be considered expired and Facebook will revoke access to expired permissions. Facebook said it will keep a check on permissions that apps have t used and developers can submit for App Review if y wish to regain access to expired permissions.

In December, Facebook came under fire after a report made some shocking revelations that Facebook allowed more than 150 companies including Netflix and Spotify to access certain user data including ir private messs.