Facebook is facing a massive data sharing scandal at the moment. As a result, Playboy has decided to suspend its accounts and activity on the social media network.
Social networks such as Facebook require users to share various kinds of data about themselves, and some truly share a lot. Not everyone is fully aware of the privacy risks or the potential implications of sharing personal information with Facebook, but the latest scandal raises some red flags.
Facebook Data Collection Scandal
Recent reports have made startling claims, revealing that Facebook has been collecting data about its users. That's not exactly news, as it's no secret that Facebook gathers various data about its subscribers, their interactions, and activities on the network.
The latest reports, however, claimed that Facebook's data collection is in fact far wider than previously thought, covering even call history and messaging information from Facebook users on Android.
The news sparked a great deal of controversy that even the Federal Trade Commission decided to get involved and look into the matter. Meanwhile, this whole data collection scandal has other companies on edge too, and some are deciding to drop Facebook in light of this matter.
Playboy Facebook Accounts Now Closed
In the wake of this scandal, Playboy has suspended its Facebook accounts and all of its activity on the social media network. On Wednesday, March 28, Playboy said that deactivating its accounts and stepping away from the social network is a necessary step in this situation after it learned about Facebook's user data practices.
"There are more than 25 million fans who engage with Playboy via our various Facebook pages, and we do not want to be complicit in exposing them to the reported practices," said the adult publication. "That is why we have announced that we will be leaving Facebook's platform, deactivating the Playboy accounts that Playboy Enterprises manages directly."
'Sexually Repressive' Facebook
Cooper Hefner, the son of the late Hugh Hefner, and currently the company's chief created officer, also took to Twitter to say that Facebook is "sexually repressive" and its corporate policies and guidelines keep clashing Playboy's values.
The data collection scandal currently engulfing Facebook might have wider repercussions, with more companies choosing to follow Playboy's example and eliminate or reduce their presence on the social network.
The scandal could also see Facebook losing droves of users as privacy is among the hottest topics of the digital age and the exaggerate data collection has stirred great controversy.
