The 28 EU heads of state issued a warning shot on 22 March
over allegations that 50 million Facebook users’ data was harvested
without their consent to influence political campaigns. “Social networks and digital platforms need to guarantee transparent
practices and full protection of citizens’ privacy and personal data,”
read conclusions from the leaders’ discussion at a European Council
summit in Brussels. They warned that “EU and national legislation must be respected and
enforced” and vowed to discuss the “important issue” at their next
meeting on 17 May in Bulgaria.