The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has launched Federal court action against Facebook and it’s subsidiaries.

It is the belief that breaches in the collection and usage of personal data for Facebook’s commercial benefit.

The action relates to mobile VPN app Onavo Protect, which provides private VPN networks to users.

ACCC’s Rod Sims says that Facebook misled users of the app between Feb 2016 and Oct 2017. Facebook told users the Onavo would keep their personal data private and secure, but instead, Facebook allegedly used that information to support market research including potential acquisition targets.

“If you have a product that is designed to protect personal information, that’s how it’s sold, and yet, the reality is that consumers [are giving Facebook] a significant amount of data,” Mr Sims said.

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