Facebook's New Headache: It Might Employ a 'Pro Stalker'

Company looking into claim that security engineer used his access to data to cyberstalk women
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted May 1, 2018 8:46 AM CDT
Facebook Probing Whether Staffer Stalked Women Online
Facebook is looking into the cyberstalking allegations.   (Getty Images/serdjophoto)

Already under fire for its user data scandal, Facebook is facing new allegations on the misuse of customer data that veer into the cyberstalking realm. It started on Sunday with a tweet from Jackie Stokes, head of the Spyglass Security computer security firm: "I've been made aware that a security engineer currently employed at Facebook is likely using privileged access to stalk women online. I have Tinder logs. What should I do with this information?" Motherboard reports the company is now checking out her claim (Stokes confirmed "multiple senior Facebook employees" had contacted her), though a Facebook rep wouldn't offer details on the alleged worker. Per the Wrap, Stokes says she confirmed the so-called stalker was a Facebook staffer with some online detective work, and she posted a screenshot of the exchange between the sender and recipient.

After the message's sender jokes about being a "professional stalker," the recipient replies: "Is that what you're currently doing? Trying to internet stalk me?" Stokes notes she only posted part of the correspondence. The Facebook rep tells Motherboard the company has "strict technical controls and policies" and that "designated employees are only allowed to access the amount of information that's necessary to carry out their job responsibilities." Whoever's involved in this alleged incident, the company appears ready to take action. "We have a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, and improper behavior results in termination," the Facebook rep adds. CNET notes these allegations call to mind ones in 2014 against an Uber executive who was accused of using the platform's "God View" feature to spy on a BuzzFeed reporter. (More Facebook stories.)

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