CBI to probe Cambridge Analytica data breach case: RS Prasad

Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Thursday said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will probe the Cambridge Analytica data breach case.

Allegedly in the case data from nation's electorates and, Facebook users were compromised by London-based political consultant Cambridge Analytica.

Prasad while addressing the Rajya Sabha said, that the Central probe agency will investigate whether the British company violated laws to manipulate the electoral process during the 2014 general elections.

"Cambridge Analytica has denied that data from Indians was breached, but Facebook has made a contradictory statement," Prasad said in the Rajya Sabha.

"Notice also was sent to Facebook in March, and it promised to improve its internal processes regarding hacking of personal data. They also promised to take various other steps to ensure that such things don't recur," he added.

London-based embattled analytics company Cambridge Analytica two months back filed for bankruptcy in the Southern District of New York.

Cambridge Analytica illegally accessed data from millions of Facebook accounts, whistleblower Christopher Wylie had disclosed earlier.

Facebook confirmed the charge in April and informed that the data of a total of 87 million users was used without authorisation by the data firm.

Known for its connection with US President Donald Trump's 2016 Presidential campaign, Cambridge Analytica was recently alleged to have influenced the 2014 general elections in India as well.