Facebook Chief Mark Zuckerberg apologizes to EU Parliament for data breach

Brussels, May 23: Facebook Chief Mark Zuckerberg has apologized to the European Parliament for the recent data breach scandal involving British consultancy firm, Cambridge Analytica. During the live-streamed hearing in Brussels, Zuckerberg admitted that up to 87 million users, including 2.7 million Europeans, may have had their data hijacked by Cambridge Analytica, which worked for US President Donald Trump during his 2016 campaign.

The Facebook Chief said they are taking steps to prevent a repeat of a massive breach of users' personal data. He added that Facebook would make fresh investments to protect its users. Zuckerberg also welcomed European Union, EU's sweeping new personal data protection rules, saying that Facebook was adopting similar steps.

The Facebook Chief, who has repeatedly apologized for the data breach, had told the US Congress last month that more stringent EU rules could serve as a model globally.

"By the end of 2018, Facebook will employ 10,000 people across 12 European cities, up from 7,000 today," Zuckerberg said. "And we will continue to invest in Europe in the years ahead."

That hiring spree echoes Facebook's efforts in the US, where the social network promised to hire 10,000 new securities and content moderation staffers by the end of 2018.