Facebook is reportedly under criminal investigation over deals that gave Apple, Amazon, and other companies access to user data
Federal prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into data-sharing deals struck between Facebook and over 150 other companies, reports the New York Times.
Under the terms of those deals, which the Times first reported in December, Facebook allowed partners including Apple, Amazon, and Microsoft to access personal user data, including friend lists, contact information, and sometimes even private messages - and not always with the user's consent.
Most of those partnerships have ended over the last several years.
According to the New York Times report, a grand jury in New York has already subpoenaed information on these types of deals from at least two smartphone and other device manufacturers involved.
"We are cooperating with investigators and take those probes seriously," a Facebook spokesperson told the Times. "We've provided public testimony, answered questions and pledged that we will continue to do so."
Facebook did not respond to an immediate request for comment from Business Insider.
This story is developing...