Tech

Facebook falls following report that Zuckerberg emails link him to controversial privacy practices

Key Points
  • Facebook has uncovered emails suggesting Mark Zuckerberg was looped into discussions around the company's 2012 privacy consent decree with the FTC, according to unnamed sources who described the emails to the Wall Street Journal.
  • Shares are down 2% following the report.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg leaves the Elysee Palace after a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Aurelien Meunier | French Select | Getty Images

Facebook stock dipped on a Wall Street Journal report that the company has uncovered emails linking CEO Mark Zuckerberg to the social media giant's controversial privacy practices.

Shares were down more than 2% following the news. The report says employees at the company are concerned that the emails could come under scrutiny during an investigation from the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC is investigating whether security lapses related to the Cambridge Analytica scandal violated a 2012 consent decree between the agency and Facebook, according to the report.

The emails, which were described to the Journal reporters but not seen, reportedly show that Zuckerberg raised questions about how the company was sharing data with third-party developers, suggesting he knew of potential problems.

In an e-mailed statement, a Facebook spokesperson said, "We have fully cooperated with the FTC's investigation to date and provided tens of thousands of documents, emails and files. We are continuing to work with them and hope to bring this matter to an appropriate resolution. Facebook and its executives, including Mark, at all times strive to comply with all applicable law, and at no point did Mark or any other Facebook employee knowingly violate the company's obligations under the FTC consent order."

Read the full Wall Street Journal report here.

WATCH: Not sure if effective to hold Mark Zuckerberg responsible, says former FTC commissioner

Not sure if effective to hold Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg responsible: Former FTC Commissioner
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Not sure if effective to hold Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg responsible: Former FTC Commissioner