Researchers and lawmakers have slammed Facebook for disabling the accountsof academics who wereanalyzing political ads on the platform.

Facebooksaid the teams data collection methods violated the social networks rules around user privacy.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner issued a statement defending the project.

Academics slam Facebook for shutting out research into political ads

He described Facebooks actions as deeply concerning.

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information, some of which is not publicly-viewable on Facebook.

The extension also collected data about Facebook users who did not install it or consent to the collection.

The researchers had previously archived this information in a now offline, publicly-available database.

is not in the public interest.

It also heightens concerns about the platform controlling scrutiny of its practices.

Story byThomas Macaulay

Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.

He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.

Away from work, he e(show all)Thomas is the managing editor of TNW.

He leads our coverage of European tech and oversees our talented team of writers.

Away from work, he enjoys playing chess (badly) and the guitar (even worse).

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