Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has issued a cautious apology during a UK parliamentary hearing, addressing the fallout from the Cambridge Analytica data scandal that rocked Facebook in 2018. The tech billionaire acknowledged "mistakes" but stopped short of a full mea culpa for the platform's role in allowing unauthorised access to millions of users' personal data.
Grilling by UK MPs
Appearing virtually before the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, Zuckerberg faced intense scrutiny over Facebook's failure to prevent Cambridge Analytica from harvesting data of up to 87 million users worldwide. "We didn't do enough at the time to prevent these tools from being used for harm," the Meta chief conceded.
Key Revelations
- Zuckerberg admitted Facebook should have audited Cambridge Analytica sooner
- The CEO revealed only 30 people oversaw data compliance for 2 billion users in 2018
- MPs challenged Zuckerberg on why he didn't appear before Parliament earlier
The hearing marked Zuckerberg's first direct engagement with UK lawmakers since the scandal broke, despite multiple previous requests for his testimony. Committee chair Damian Collins MP noted pointedly: "Four years is a long time to wait for answers."
Ongoing Fallout
The Cambridge Analytica revelations triggered global outrage about social media data practices, leading to:
- Massive fines for Facebook from regulators worldwide
- Sweeping changes to data protection laws including GDPR
- Increased public scepticism about tech companies' power
While Zuckerberg emphasised Meta's subsequent investments in privacy and security, MPs remained sceptical about whether fundamental business model changes would follow.
