Users own and control their data, says Zuckerberg

Facebook may offer subscription service without ads Users own and control the data they share on Facebook, its founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg repeatedly told American lawmakers, who remained skeptical of this argument through two Congressional hearings on the company’s privacy policy on Tuesday and Wednesday. Assurance on India Facebook is committed to ensuring the integrity of elections in countries like India, Pakistan and the U.S., Mr. Zuckerberg told the hearings, attended by at least 42 Senators. Personalised advertisement driven by data analytics will remain the mainstay of Facebook’s business model, though the company might offer a subscription model that will shield users from advertisements and offer more protection for their data, Mr. Zuckerberg said. “We think offering an ad-supported service is the most aligned with our mission of trying to help connect everyone in the world, because we want to offer a free service that everyone can afford.” Facebook is committed to ensuring the integrity of elections in countries like India, Pakistan and the U.S., Mr. Zuckerberg told the hearing. He was questioned for nearly five hours by senators over the Cambridge Analytica scandal that has shaken the social media giant. The hearing, attended by at least 42 Senators, had many light moments but the 33-year-old CEO largely appeared strained, trying to explain the company’s technology and business model, without admitting to charges of inadequate data protection. Mr. Zuckerberg sidestepped several questions that are at the heart of the privacy debate. Senator Kamala Harris from California, where the company is headquartered, catalogued them, four hours into the hearing. http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/users-own-and-control-their-data-says-zuckerberg/article23507393.ece