Facebook alerts users affected by Cambridge Analytica scandal

Facebook would start informing its users on Monday if their information “may have been’’ improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica,

Cambridge Analytica is a consultancy suspected of improperly using the data of as many as 87 million people.

In a statement, Facebook said that 70.6 million people affected were based in the U. S.

Up to 2.7 million Facebook users in the EU were affected, with another two million affected in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Other countries affected include Mexico, Canada, India, Brazil, Vietnam and Australia, according to Facebook.

In a further effort to improve transparency after the scandal, Facebook would send all 2.2 billion of its users a notice that would allow them to see what apps they use and what data they are sharing with those apps.

The company said this would allow people to shut off the apps completely or turn off third-party access to their apps.

Cambridge Analytica is at the centre of a debate over whether it used the personal data of millions to influence the outcome of the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the Brexit referendum.

“I started Facebook, and at the end of the day I’m responsible for what happens on our platform,’’ Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said. “I’m serious about doing what it takes to protect our community.’’

Zuckerberg is set to testify before U.S. lawmakers this week.