this post was submitted on 07 Jun 2026
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tbh it's a hard balance for any social media company.
Guard content too little and you end up with Cambridge Analytica, which was literally because the public APIs allowed too much access (you could see any data through the API that you could see through your Facebook account, including friends profiles). You also end up with headlines talking about big data leaks which really just end up being compilations of public data (which has happened to both Facebook and LinkedIn).
Guard content too much and you restrict users' freedom too much.
Cambridge Analytical was less of a failure to guard the data, and more of an assistance helping the robbers load it up out the back door.
All the data gathered by Cambridge Analytica was gathered through the public API though, which is why the API is very locked down now.
I remember the event, but I also have the recollection that the user data API availability had been part of sales pitch and marketing of that access despite objections from the EFF and other privacy advocates, which contributed to the scandal once it was inevitably used for unscrupulous purposes. The distinction I'm making is one of intent, but it may be misplaced. Was that not the case?