Check if Facebook shared your information with Cambridge Analytica
What's the story
Facebook has created a Help Center page titled 'How can I tell if my info was shared with Cambridge Analytica?' Users can know if their data was harvested as part of the Cambridge Analytica scandal by visiting the page. It mentions if your data was stored by the 'This Is Your Digital Life' app, which was what Cambridge Analytica used to collect user info.
Context
Facebook to notify users affected by Cambridge Analytica scandal
Facebook had said that starting April 9, it would notify users if their data was harvested by Cambridge Analytica or not. It will also showcase its new bulk app permission removal tool atop News Feeds. However, if you haven't seen that prompt in your News Feed yet, you can still check if your data was affected by visiting the new Help Center page.
Information
If you weren't affected
If you weren't affected, the message on the Help Center page will read, "Neither you nor your friends have logged into 'This Is Your Digital Life'. As a result, it doesn't appear your Facebook information was shared with Cambridge Analytica by the app."
Details
If you were affected
If a friend used the app and was affected by the data breach, you will be informed that, as an extension, some of your data might have also been improperly shared. But the name of the friend will not be revealed. Users will also be directed to another page where they can check and revoke access to the third-party apps connected with their account.
Background
Facebook becomes stricter about activities of third-party apps
This comes as part of Facebook's announcement regarding the changes it's making to protect user data and become stricter with third-party apps. This includes notifying users of data misuse, making it easier to bulk-remove third-party app access or turning off the functionality completely, automatically turning off access for connected apps not used in three months, and restricting apps from collecting data without Facebook's approval.