US investigates data sales by Facebook

Federal prosecutors in the United States are conducting a criminal investigation into Facebook. This concerns reports from June last year that Facebook has continued to sell user data to various companies and manufacturers.

The New York Times reports learning from two sources that an investigative jury has issued subpoenas seeking data from at least two prominent makers of smartphones and other devices. It is not yet known which two companies are involved.

The two manufacturers, along with many other companies, have in the past entered into agreements with Facebook that gave them access to the personal data of hundreds of millions of Facebook users. These include Amazon, Apple, Microsoft and Sony. Facebook indicated in the past that it would stop these data deals, but the company would have continued with this with some companies.

The sources say they are familiar with the jury’s official requests and wish to remain anonymous as it concerns confidential legal matters. It is not clear exactly when the jury started the investigation and what exactly it is focusing on.

A Facebook spokesperson told The New York Times that Facebook is working with the investigators and that the investigations are being taken seriously. The US Department of Justice declined to respond to a request for comment.