Facebook is leaking photos of up to 6.8 million users
In total, the bug involved fifteen hundred apps, created by 876 developers. The apps would have wider access to photos between 13 and 25 September than intended. Whether the bug was actually misused is unclear.
Normally apps get access to photos that Facebook users share on their timeline, if the user gives permission. Because of the bugs, the apps also had access to other photos, such as from Marketplace and Facebook Stories.
The privacy watchdog of Ireland has now announced to investigate the bug. Facebook has its European headquarters in Ireland.
Users will be notified
The news of the error follows a previous data breach, in which personal data of 30 million users would have been captured. In addition, the company has been under fire worldwide since March when it emerged that personal information from a maximum of 87 million users was passed on to the data analysis company Cambridge Analytica.
Users who may have been affected by the bug will be notified by means of a Facebook notification. The company also advises users to check the permissions they have granted to apps.