Facebook bans personality quiz apps on its platform

Facebook in its latest crackdown on third-party apps, will not permit apps “with minimal utility, such as personality quizzes”.

Facebook says it will not allow apps like personality quizzes on its platform. (REUTERS)

In its latest move to 'protect' user data, Facebook is banning personality quizzes on its platform. The move comes a year after the Cambridge Analytica scandal which accessed millions of user data through a personality quiz app, 'this is your digital life'.

Facebook in a blog post explains, "Additionally, our Facebook Platform Policies are being updated to include provisions that apps with minimal utility, such as personality quizzes, may not be permitted on the platform. The update also clarifies that apps may not ask for data that doesn't enrich the in-app, user experience."

In its Platform Policies, Facebook shares more details explaining "apps that provide (or claim to provide) users with assessments of personality, personal attributes, character traits, behavioral tendencies, or whose core functionality otherwise involves making predictions about who the user is, may not be allowed."

While Facebook does say that personality quizzes will not be "permitted" on the platform, it isn't clear if they have been banned completely. In a statement to Mashable, a Facebook spokesperson said, "(Quiz) apps are not banned but they will be subject to heightened scrutiny".

Facebook has tightened rules on third-party apps altogether with its latest update. The social media giant is revoking access to multiple APIs which will expire by July 30 this year. It will also restrict new apps from having access to these APIs from April 30. App developers can find the full list of APIs here.

In addition to this, Facebook will consider stagnant apps expired. Apps which haven't been used for 90 days will not be allowed to access user permissions first granted. The company will also continue to "periodically review, audit, and remove permissions that your app has not used".

Facebook has been limiting access for developers to user permissions ever since the Cambridge Analytica row. The biggest ever data scandal to hit Facebook exposed user data of over 87 million users globally.