Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg apologizes to Europeans, but does not convince

The format of the hearing did not allow parliamentarians to insist on answering their question. If the boss of Facebook has again apologized, he has mostly left deputies on their hunger.

" I am sorry ". Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg on Tuesday apologized to the European Parliament, as he had done to US parliamentarians, for the weaknesses of his social network in protecting the data of its users, illustrated by the Cambridge scandal Analytica. But the format of his audition caused a lot of frustration: the time spent on the questions was much longer than the answers of the American.

Dark suit and burgundy tie, Mr. Zuckerberg appeared smiling but a little stiff, attentive next to the Speaker of Parliament Antonio Tajani. The hearing in Brussels took place before the leaders of the Parliament's political groups, but, under the pressure of several of them, was finally broadcast live on the Internet. False information, interference from abroad in elections or developers using malicious personal information: Facebook has not taken responsibility, acknowledged Mark Zuckerberg.

"How do you want us to remember you? "

"It was a mistake, and I'm sorry," he said in his introduction, as already in Washington last month. The new apology from the founder of Facebook has earned him to be fired by Guy Verhofstadt, the leader of the liberals (ALDE group). It's been three times since the beginning of the year, "he told him. "How do you want us to remember you? As one of the three giants of the internet with Bill Gates and Steve Jobs? Or as a failed genius who has created a digital monster that destroys our democracies, "said Mr Verhofstadt.

Mark Zuckerberg's speech in Brussels took place three days before the entry into force on Friday of European legislation to better protect the personal data of Europeans, one of the most advanced in this area. The boss of Facebook assured that his social network fully shared the three principles at the heart of the new European regulation: "Control, transparency and accountability". And that Facebook will comply with European legislation as of Friday.

An RGPD applied to all Facebook users

The network will offer the same degree of control to "all its customers" in the world, he promised. In particular the possibility of erasing its history in the same way that one can erase his "cookies" on the Internet. Antonio Tajani thanked the young American billionaire for his presence at one year of the 2019 European elections. "We must protect the personal data of citizens (who have) become a resource of inestimable value," said the Italian.

For his part, Mark Zuckerberg admitted that Facebook had been "too slow to identify Russian interference" in the 2016 US presidential election, but said his company was working with European governments in view of the upcoming elections. "Today was a first step for Facebook to restore confidence and it will take more," said Justice Commissioner Vera Jourova.

2.7 million Europeans involved in the Cambridge Analytica case

According to figures provided by Facebook to the European Commission, the data of "up to 2.7 million" Europeans could be transmitted "inappropriately" to the firm Cambridge Analytica, involved in the campaign for the presidential Donald Trump. Mark Zuckerberg "has announced many changes, including the transparency of political advertising. I want to believe that these are signs "showing that Facebook will show more" responsibility, "Ms. Jourova retorted.

"Promising waves," criticized leaders of the Green group in Parliament, Philippe Lamberts and Ska Keller. "Not very convincing," said Manfred Weber, leader of the European People's Party (EPP, right, main political force in the hemicycle). Because the Brussels audition was followed by a concert of comments where the disappointment was reflected.

A disappointing audition format

"What this audit has brought to light is that we still do not know how badly personal data has been used. Until we really know what happened, and is still happening, Facebook and lawmakers can not put in place the right solutions to prevent the same problems (to be repeated) in the future, " lamented Syed Kamall, the leader of the Conservatives.

"The US Congress had the right hearing format, but only asked easy questions. Parliament had the right questions, but an easy format that allowed Zuckerberg to avoid the answers, "summed up German environmentalists MEP Sven Giegold.

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