Facebook data leak increases to 87 million users

By Ovunc Kutlu

NEW YORK

Facebook raised the number of those affected a data leak to 87 million users, from the previous estimate of 50 million, Chief Technology Officer Mike Schroepfer said in a statement.

In the worst data leak in company history, Facebook initially reported that 50 million of its users' private information used without consent by U.K.-based Cambridge Analytica for critical political voting in country and the U.S.

Schroepfer said most of the affected users are in the U.S., and "We will also tell people if their information may have been improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica."

He said the firm is making changes to better protect user data.

"We will also no longer allow apps to ask for access to personal information such as religious or political views, relationship status and details, custom friends lists, education and work history, fitness activity, book reading activity, music listening activity, news reading, video watch activity, and games activity," he said.

Facebook sources said last week CEO Mark Zuckerberg could testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee on April 10.

Two U.S. lawmakers said Wednesday Zuckerberg would also give testimony to the House Energy and Commerce Committee on April 11.

"This hearing will be an important opportunity to shed light on critical consumer data privacy issues and help all Americans better understand what happens to their personal information online," Committee Chairman Greg Walden and Member Frank Pallone said in a ]statement.