FTC Official Blasts Facebook Over Revoking Researchers’ Access

A top Federal Trade Commission official blasted Facebook Inc. over its decision to disable the personal accounts of a group of New York University researchers studying political ads on the social network -- and blaming the consent decree with the agency to justify the action.

Samuel Levine, the FTC’s acting director of the bureau of consumer protection, also criticized the company for failing to “honor its commitment” to consult with the agency about whether the agreement applied to the researchers.