Facebook submitted its recent findings related to Russian Facebook ads purchased during the 2016 campaign to special counsel Robert Mueller and House and Senate intelligence committees last week, but the social media platform did not share as much information concerning the ads with Congress as it did the federal probe.
Mueller was provided detailed copies of the ads and information about the accounts behind the ads and what targeting criteria was utilized, the Wall Street Journal reported. Facebook said it provided only “the stored contents of any account,” such as messages and location details, in keeping with Facebook policy and in response to a search warrant.
Should Mueller issue a search warrant, he would have robust means to investigate the particulars of how Russians impacted the 2016 election via social media.
Facebook has not provided identical information to Congress partly due to consideration of interfering with Mueller’s investigation. Additionally, there is concern about violating U.S. privacy laws.
A Facebook spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal the company is still investigating the situation and is complying with U.S. authorities.
Facebook revealed last week $100,000 was purchased for ads from June 2015 to May 2017 by a Russian “troll farm” called the Internet Research Agency, which has promoted pro-Russian propaganda. The money was connected to approximately 3,000 ads and 470 “inauthentic accounts and pages.”
