Facebook to face Australian regulators in court following Cambridge Analytica scandal

Facebook has suffered a major setback in Australia after a judge ruled that social media giant indeed carries out business in country on Monday, September 14. Facebook was first sued by Office of Australian Information Commissioner (OAIC) back in March wherein tech giant was accused of breaching privacy of 300,000 Australians between March 2014 and May 2015 following Cambridge Analytica scandal.

Read: Facebook To Remove Rumours That Oregon Wildfires Were Started By 'extremists'

Facebook locked in legal battle

Australian Privacy regulator has accused Facebook of grave privacy breaches that is believed to have exposed data of some 300,000 users in country. As per Guardian reports, Facebook headquarters are located outside Australia and  regulator had to establish that company carried out business in Australia to move ahead with case on privacy laws.

After being served documents, Facebook Inc tried to argue that it did t carry out business in Australia during that period. But in a ruling made on September 14, Judge Thaley affirmed that Information Commissioner had been successful in proving that social media firm did carry out business in Australia and that during time in question it was collecting and storing personal data of Australians.

Following judgement, both Australian Information Commissioner and Privacy Commissioner Angelene Falk stated that y were pleased with court's decision and would w be moving forward with case.

Read: How To Change Name On Facebook? List Of Steps & Things To Kw

Ex-Facebook employee accuses company of “profiting off hate”

On September 8, a Facebook employee lashed out at companies’ policies and slammed social media platform for being on “wrong side of history”. In a post, ex-employee claimed that he could longer “stomach contributing to an organisation that is profiting off hate in US and globally”.

employee also highlighted Facebook's several content moderation decisions in recent past despite civil rights advocates pressurising social media platform to control hate speech and disinformation.

Read: EU Asks Facebook, Twitter & Ors To Take More Steps To Tackle Fake News

Read: Zuckerberg: Facebook t A 'right-wing Echo Chamber'