Apple, IBM chiefs call for more data oversight after Facebook breach

BEIJING, March 26 (Reuters) - Executives from Apple Incand IBM Corp have called for more oversight onhow personal data is used following the Facebook Incbreach that saw roughly 50 million users' data misused byconsultancy Cambridge Analytica.

Speaking at the three-day China Development Forum inBeijing, Apple chief Tim Cook said "well-crafted" regulation wasrequired, while IBM Corp chief Virginia Rometty saidusers should have more agency over their own data.

"It's clear to me that something, some large profound changeis needed," said Apple chief Tim Cook on Saturday.

"I'm personally not a big fan of regulation becausesometimes regulation can have unexpected consequences to it,however I think this certain situation is so dire, and hasbecome so large, that probably some well-crafted regulation isnecessary," said Cook, who co-chaired the event this year.

Facebook has come under intense scrutiny from users,lawmakers and investors following allegations from awhistleblower that it allowed British political consultancyCambridge Analytica to improperly use data and build voterprofiles that were later used to help elect U.S. PresidentDonald Trump in 2016.

U.S. lawmakers on Friday officially requested thatFacebook's Mark Zuckaberg explain at a congressional hearing howuser's data was released to the consultancy.

The breach has sparked intense debate over theresponsibility of large tech firms to properly inform users ofhow their data is used.

"If you're going to use these technologies, you have to tellpeople you're doing that, and they should never be surprised,"IBM chief executive Rometty said on Monday.

"(We have to let) people opt in and opt out, and be clearthat ownership of the data does belong to the creator," saidRometty.

It comes as China, where the forum was held, is also lookingto bolster personal privacy regulations following a series ofmissteps by leading tech firms including search firm Baidu Incand Alibaba Group Holding Ltd paymentaffiliate Ant Financial.

"China has become increasingly more aware of this problemand have been enforcing the relevant laws more definitely andstrongly," said Baidu chief Robin Li at the same event onMonday.

"I think the Chinese people are more open, or less sensitiveabout the privacy issue. If they are able to trade (privacy) forconvenience, safety or efficiency – in a lot of cases they arewilling to do that," said Li.

In January a consumer group from Jiangsu in east China fileda lawsuit against Baidu claiming the firm was illegallycollecting personal data.(Reporting by Mathew Miller and Cate CadellEditing by Shri Navaratnam)