Facebook 'to be fined $5bn' for privacy violations

Facebook faces a record $5bn fine following an investigation over data privacy violations, US media has reported.

US regulators at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) were looking into breaches of data laws and political consultancy firm Cambridge Analytica, who reportedly obtained the data of up to 87 million Facebook users improperly.

The settlement was reached by the FTC by 3-2 votes in favour along US party lines.

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According to the US media, the Republican commissioners voting in favour while the Democrats opposed.

If the fine is ratified by the Justice Department's civil division, it would be the largest ever levied by the FTC on a tech company.

Neither Facebook or the FTC has commented on the fine.

Cambridge Analytica's actions came to light following an investigation by Channel 4 in March 2018.

Their report found that the company was using improper means to obtain information of Facebook users.