Facebook defends targeted ads

Facebook defended its use of targeted ads before a Congressional hearing today. The site insisted that using its users’ profiles to allow advertisers to target specific demographics and audiences was not a violation of privacy because no personally identifiable data is shared.

The site is no stranger to privacy concerns having weathered storms of outrage over the news feed introduction in 2006, the Beacon ad program in 2007, and TOS revisions earlier this year. It has always been swift to make corrections and offer apologies however.