German Consumer Group Takes Aim At Data Sharing Via Facebook’s App Center

Facebook is facing more privacy issues in Germany, as the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (VZBV) filed suit against the social network, claiming that applications available via its app center automatically access users’ data without consent.

Facebook is facing more privacy issues in Germany, as the Federation of German Consumer Organizations (VZBV) filed suit against the social network, claiming that applications available via its app center automatically access users’ data without consent.

IDG News Service reported that VZBV is claiming that third-party apps are gaining access to data such as information about friends, contact information, chat data, and the ability to post on users’ walls, all without consent.

VZBV Policy Officer Michaela Zinke told IDG News Service that when Facebook launched app center, it ceased the process of warning users that apps were sharing their information with third parties and allowing them to choose whether to allow this practice, adding, “I’m very confused why Facebook changed it.”

The group told IDG News Service that Facebook does provide small grey text that alerts users that their data will be provided to developers if they download apps, adding that German law only...

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