Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will probe the Cambridge Analytica data breach case over doubts of illegally obtaining data of Indians.
‘The first incident was reports of breach data of Facebook, wherein it was reported that number of their users had been compromised by Cambridge Analytica. Immediately notice was issued to the two companies and their response sought. Facebook responded and they have streamlined their internal processes regarding handling of personal data,’ he told the Rajya Sabha.
Prasad while addressing the Rajya Sabha, said that the Central probe agency will investigate whether the British company violated laws to manipulate the electoral process during the 2014 general elections.
‘Cambridge Analytica has denied that data from Indians was breached, but Facebook has made a contradictory statement,’ he added.
Cambridge Analytica illegally accessed data from millions of Facebook accounts, whistleblower Christopher Wylie had disclosed earlier.
Facebook confirmed the charge in April and informed that the data of a total of 87 million users was used without authorisation by the data firm.
Known for its connection with US President Donald Trump’s 2016 Presidential campaign, Cambridge Analytica was recently alleged to have influenced the 2014 general elections in India as well.
The BJP and Congress have accused each other of using Cambridge Analytica’s services, but both have denied any link to it.
(With inputs from ANI)