Crimson Hexagon Regains Facebook Data Access

Social media monitoring and analysis specialist Crimson Hexagon has had its access to Facebook and Instagram data reinstated, after an investigation determined the company had not used this data for government surveillance purposes.

Crimson Hexagon's platform is powered by patented technology and an in-house data library said to contain more than one trillion consumer conversations gathered from social media, forums, blogs, reviews and other sources. Last month, Facebook temporarily blocked Crimson Hexagon's access to Facebook and Instagram data, while it investigated the firm's data collection practices. At the time, the Wall Street Journal claimed the company held contracts with both US government agencies and a Russian non-profit group with connections to the Kremlin.

Since then, Crimson Hexagon has undergone several weeks of 'discussion and information exchange' with Facebook, with several questions focused on a number of Crimson Hexagon's government customers. In a statement, Crimson Hexagon CFO Dan Shore (pictured) confirmed that to the company's knowledge, no government customer has ever used the Crimson Hexagon platform for surveillance of any individual or group.

'Over time we have enhanced our vetting procedures for government customers. Nevertheless, we recognize it is important to go beyond vetting by monitoring these government customers on an ongoing basis to ensure the public's expectations of privacy are met. As governments and government-sponsored organizations change how they use data, we too must change', Shore added.

Web site: www.crimsonhexagon.com .