Mark Zuckerberg agrees to testify before Congress over data scandal

Calls for CEO to appear reach fever pitch after Cambridge Analytica reports, paving way for showdown over Facebook accountability

Facebook's chief executive, Mark Zuckerberg, has agreed to testify before the United States Congress in the wake of a data harvesting scandal that has sent the company's share price tumbling and prompted numerous investigations and lawsuits.

Zuckerberg has accepted an invitation to testify before the House energy and commerce committee, according to an aide familiar with the discussions. A date has not yet been set, and the spokesperson for the House committee declined to confirm reports that the hearing was scheduled for 12 April.