Facebook to be fined $5bn for Cambridge Analytica privacy violations – reports

The $5bn fine would be the largest ever levied by the Federal Trade Commission against a technology company

The Federal Trade Commission has reportedly voted to approve fining Facebook roughly $5bn to settle an investigation into the company's privacy violations that was launched following the Cambridge Analytica revelations.

The Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post, both citing anonymous sources familiar with the matter, reported Friday afternoon that the settlement was approved by a 3-2 vote that broke along party lines, with Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed. The justice department is expected make a final approval of the fine.