Facebook sued over privacy violation

It seems that Facebook has got itself in a spot of bother again.

After facing recent criticism from MPs, advertisers and the general public after relaxing its rules concerning offensive and upsetting material, the social networking giant is now facing a lawsuit over allegations that it monitors users’ private messages.

The lawsuit, which was filed earlier this week, claims that when users share a link to another website via a private message, Facebook scans it to record the user’s web activity – sharing unique information with data aggregators, advertisers and marketers.

If Facebook is found guilty, the Zuckerberg-owned site – which recorded a 99% increase in share price in 2013 – will face paying the greater of either $100 a day for each day of alleged violation or $10,000 for each user.

Facebook has said that the allegations are “without merit” and that it will defend itself “vigorously”.

Last year, Facebook was criticised by marketers and eBusiness executives for creating less business value than any other digital marketing opportunity.

Nate Elliott, an analyst at Forrester – who conducted the research – warned that the consequences would be “dire” if Facebook does not change.