
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expected to testify in $8 billion Facebook privacy lawsuit
Investors allege in their lawsuit that Meta did not fully disclose the risks that Facebook users' personal information would be misused by Cambridge Analytica, a firm that supported Donald Trump's successful Republican presidential campaign in 2016. Shareholders say Facebook officials repeatedly and continually violated a 2012 consent order with the Federal Trade Commission under which Facebook agreed to stop collecting and sharing personal data on platform users and friends without their consent.
The fallout led to Facebook agreeing to pay a $5.1 billion penalty to settle FTC charges. The social media giant also reached a $725 million privacy settlement with users. Now shareholders want Zuckerberg and others to reimburse Meta for the FTC fine and other legal costs, which the plaintiffs estimate total more than $8 billion.
The case will feature testimony from Zuckerberg and former Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg. Others expected to appear on the stand include board member Marc Andreessen and former board member Peter Thiel.

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Politico
17 minutes ago
- Politico
The White House is frustrated with Susan Collins. She might be the GOP's best option.
Top Maine Democrats including former Maine Senate President Troy Jackson and Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who ran against Collins in 2014, have opted to run for the state's open governorship instead. Rep. Jared Golden of the 2nd District is running for reelection. That has left national Democrats without a top recruit in what should be one of their most competitive offensive targets. Gov. Janet Mills, who is term-limited, would be their top recruit. But Mills, 77, is older than Collins, 72, and the two women have generally had a good working relationship. The Democratic governor doesn't seem eager for what would likely be a bruising Senate battle. Even as some Republicans in Washington grow frustrated with Collins, there is no appetite to primary her back home. 'I don't think any reasonable person that might be interested in that position would think about challenging her,' said Maine GOP strategist Alex Titcomb. Collins has already publicly indicated plans to run for reelection. Her fundraising surged in the second quarter of the year, according to campaign finance reports filed this week. And a super PAC planning to back her said it raised $5.6 million so far this year. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is already cutting digital ads for Collins . Democrats' best hope to flip the seat would be if Collins did not seek reelection. Republicans would have to scramble in their attempts to find a replacement — she is the only GOP candidate to win statewide in Maine since 2014. 'Everybody knows that Susan Collins is a gift to the Republican Party in Maine,' said Garrett Mason, the former Maine Senate majority leader and GOP gubernatorial candidate. Collins has ruffled some GOP feathers in the first six months of Trump's term with high-profile votes to oppose his defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, and the sprawling 'One Big Beautiful Bill.' A similar dynamic played out during Trump's first term in office, when conservatives slammed her vote against the Affordable Care Act repeal . But Collins largely rallied the Republican base in her favor for her 2020 reelection campaign, even earning an endorsement from former Gov. Paul LePage, who had previously been critical of her . But Republicans in the state know that when it comes to Maine's Senate seat, there is no 'better option.' A Collins retirement — or primary loss — likely means the GOP loses the seat. And many in the state still pride themselves on her senior status in the Senate, something even another Republican could not immediately replicate. 'If someone were able to run against her and by chance beat her, that would be a really bad thing for Maine,' said Mason, the former majority leader. 'But I just don't see that happening. That's not what's on the ground here.'


Forbes
18 minutes ago
- Forbes
Facebook Deletes 10 Million Accounts And Warns The Purge Will Go On
Facebook is purging accounts, 10 million gone in just six months. Some of the world's biggest online platforms are purging accounts. We've seen Google Maps and Gmail users impacted, Samsung recently emailed me an account deletion warning, and now Facebook can be added to the list. Meta has confirmed that a staggering 10 million accounts have been deleted in the first half of 2025 alone, and the purge is not stopping there. Here's everything you need to know. 10 Million Facebook Accounts Deleted Since The Start Of 2025 Nobody likes the thought of their online accounts being deleted, which is why there was something of a panic around Google sending emails about just such a purge when they hit inboxes towards the end of 2023. Of course, that panic was unjustified, as the emails referred to a change in Google's inactive account policy, which meant that those left unused for two years were being deleted. But what if active accounts are being purged, as is the case with the Facebook confirmation, is that cause for concern? The answer, at least for the overwhelming majority of legitimate Facebook users, is a resounding no. In fact, I'd argue it's cause for security celebration. A July 14 announcement in the Facebook creators blog explains exactly why in its lede: 'We believe that creators should be celebrated for their unique voices and perspectives, not drowned out by copycats and impersonators.' Given the warning issued to all 220 Amazon Prime customers regarding attacks where brand impersonation was front and center, it should come as some relief to us all that Meta is taking the issue seriously when it comes to Facebook creators. All too often, such impersonation is just one step away from malicious intent, using the reputation of others to engender trust and leverage attack methodologies. As a continuation of efforts to remove spammy content, including fake engagement and impersonation, Facebook has confirmed that since the start of the year, it 'took down around 10 million profiles impersonating large content producers.' This is in addition to 500,000 accounts found to have been engaging in said spammy behavior and fake engagement having comments demoted, reach reduced and monetization stopped. The good news is that Meta intends to carry on doing more of the same. 'Facebook aims to be a place where original content thrives, and creators are rewarded for their hard work and creativity,' the announcement concluded.
Yahoo
24 minutes ago
- Yahoo
3 weeks left until Columbia Ward 2 special election. Who's funding candidates?
In a little less than three weeks Columbia's Ward 2 will have new representation on the Columbia City Council. It is a race between Pickelman's Gourmet Cafe executive Ken Rice and librarian and community organizer Vera Elwood. Both have raised funds for their campaigns, but who is providing the money? Quarterly campaign finance reports filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission paint a picture. Rice started with $67.33 in cash on hand. He then received contributions totaling $4,690. After expenses of roughly $1,624 he is left with $3,132 on hand. He has no outstanding debts. Individual monetary contributions range from $40 to $500, mostly from retired Columbia residents. Rice received a $500 contribution from Paul Tuttle, a Pickleman's franchise operator in Lenexa, Kansas. His most significant contribution was the $2,500 his campaign received from Citizens for a Safe Columbia political action committee. This PAC in its July quarterly report solely was supported by the Columbia Police Officers Association, which is the local police union. The PAC originally was formed in 2009, and based on other quarterly and major contribution reports receives support from other law enforcement-associated PACs, as well, although the majority of funding comes from the CPOA. Citizens for a Safe Columbia in recent elections made direct or indirect contributions supporting the Blair Murphy for Columbia mayor campaign, Ron Graves in the Columbia Ward 4 race, Jacque Sample for Ward 3 race, Cops for Kehoe committee and Stephanie Morrell for Boone County circuit judge. Expenditures, mostly spent locally, went to campaign marketing, campaign leaflets and other materials. The few out-of-state expenses went to paying the fees for fundraising platform Anedot and voter data platform Numinar. A search of Open Secrets notes these vendors typically are associated with Republican organizations, candidates or campaigns. Elwood started with no cash on hand. She received campaign cycle monetary contributions of $10,450. After expenses of roughly $249, she is left with $10,200 on hand as well as $4,602 in outstanding debt. Individual monetary contributions ranged from $25 to $500, where a majority came from local residents. There was one $100 contribution from an employee of AMM Political Strategies. A search of Open Secrets notes this organization typically is association with Democratic organizations, candidates or campaigns. Elwood has received donations from a handful of local and regional PACs. This includes $1,500 from the 955 PAC, which is associated with Laborers International Union of North America Local 955 and was formed in 2023. This PAC is supported by LiUNA 955 members in its recent campaign finance report. The Boone County Democrats Central Committee contributed $500, Columbia Professional Firefighters PAC provided $1,000 and Missouri and Kansas Laborers PAC gave $2,500. More: Ward 2 election race a 'tale of two endorsements' from former Columbia City Council members Boone County Democrats is supported by the Boone County Muleskinners, Democratic elected officials, Boone County residents and even Elwood, among others. Apart from the contribution, the Columbia Firefighters PAC, which was formed in 2010, has seen limited activity in recent years. Missouri and Kansas Laborers has provided contributions to both Democratic and Republican organizations and candidates in a campaign finance report, though mostly to Democrats. Expenses went to Show Me Victories campaign materials, including yard signs. The organization did not have a vendor profile on Open Secrets. Show Me Victories can also conduct political polling and research to provide strategic messaging for candidates, website information noted. This article originally appeared on Columbia Daily Tribune: Columbia Ward 2 election candidates file campaign finance reports Solve the daily Crossword