App developers had improper access to user info on Facebook

MENLO PARK, CALIFORNIA — Facebook says roughly 100 app developers had improper access to user data from video streaming apps and social media management apps through admins that authorized the apps' access to Facebook groups.

According to a news release from the company, at least 11 apps accessed names and profile pictures of group members in the past 60 days even though Facebook says it made changes in April 2018 to prevent app developers from accessing this information.

The company explained that following the changes, group members had to opt-in in order to allow apps to access their information.

Facebook says it has since removed this access for those app developers even though the social media giant says it didn't find any evidence of the apps abusing their access to user information.

The company didn't mention how many users were affected by the breach.

Facebook has been working to restrict developer access to user data since March 2018, following the Cambridge Analytica scandal in which the consulting firm gained access to user data from 87 million Facebook users, CNBC reports.

As a result, the company suspended tens of thousands of apps in September.

The social media giant was also ordered to pay a US$5 billion fine to the Federal Trade Commission over its privacy policies.