Facebook Delaying Smart Speaker After Data Scandal
Facebook is delaying the launch of its smart speaker as it is still facing backlash after the Cambridge Analytica data scandal.
According to Bloomberg, the upcoming smart speakers are being investigated “to ensure that they make the right trade-offs regarding user data.”
Facebook was going to unveil them at the upcoming major developer conference in May, Bloomberg reports.
Earlier this year it was reported the social media giant would be launching two smart speakers in July – named Fiona and Aloha – which would have 15-inch LG touchscreens.
Sources say the smart speaker would be aiming to facilitate connections between family and friends, via video chat and other social integrations.
Both products will be designed by Facebook’s Building 8 hardware lab, and will feature facial recognition, voice control and a wide-angle camera lens.
Facebook is currently being investigated by the FTC in the US after it was discovered controversial political research company Cambridge Analytica had access to the data of 50 million Facebook users.
It is also facing four separate lawsuits due to this data breach.