CBI writes to Facebook, Cambridge Analytica in data theft probe

New Delhi: The CBI has written to Facebook, Cambridge Analytica and Global Science Research (GSR) in connection with its investigation into the alleged illegal data harvesting of Indians from the social networking platform.

Sources in the Central probe agency said the CBI has sought the details of data collection exercise adapted by them. After reference from the Centre, the investigative agency had registered a preliminary enquiry against Cambridge Analytica and Global Science Research last month over the alleged data theft.

There are allegations that Cambridge Analytica received data from Global Science Research which employed “illegal means” of personal data harvesting of Indians using Facebook, sources said. Facebook has over 20 crore users in India.

Data mining and analysis firm Cambridge Analytica earlier faced allegations that it used personal information harvested from 87 million Face book accounts to help Donald Trump win the 2016 US presidential election. Union Law and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad had told Rajya Sabha last month that the probe will be handed over to the CBI. He had said there were also reports that user data was “illegally accessed by hardware manufacturers who had tie-ups with Face book. Face book has over 20 crore users in India. After the data breach came to light, the IT Ministry had in March and April shot off communications to Face book and Cambridge Analytica seeking clarification on the issue from them.

“Facebook responded that they will streamline their internal processes regarding handling of personal data. They stated that the case of Cambridge Analytica was a case of breach of trust. They promised to take various other steps to ensure that such breaches do not recur,” Prasad had said.

However, he had said, Cambridge Analytica gave an initial response that data of Indians was not breached but this was not in conformity with what was reported by Face book.