*By Conor White*
With the Cambridge Analytica scandal barely behind it, Facebook is suspending another data firm for its use of user data.
The company is investigating Boston-based Crimson Hexagon for possible ties to a Kremlin-linked Russian nonprofit and the U.S. government.
But Michael Nuñez, Deputy Tech Editor for Mashable, [thinks there's an important public-private distinction.](https://mashable.com/2018/07/20/facebook-suspends-crimson-hexagon/)
"In this case, what \[Crimson Hexagon\] has done is actually take public posts, so this is stuff that people had allowed the public to have access to."
As Nuñez noted, Crimson Hexagon hasn't violated any of Facebook's rules, per se. Cambridge Analytica, on the other hand, was dumped after [extracting](https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/mar/26/cambridge-analytica-trump-campaign-us-election-laws) private user data and allegedly violating U.S. law by unfairly influencing the 2014 and 2016 election cycles.
But Nuñez warned, this could be just the beginning.
"I question whether \[Facebook\] has any grip on how many companies are out there like this," he said. "The tricky part about this is once the data leaves Facebook's platform, once a company siphons this off of Facebook using their API, then it's really hard for Facebook to know where that data is going."
Despite the latest news, Nuñez said it will take a lot more bad news to cripple the resilient social media giant.
"The trove of data is still there, they still have two billion users that any advertiser can access at any point, so I think it's going to take a lot to derail the company," he said.
The Cambridge Analytica scandal broke late in the first quarter, so had limited impact on the company's last earnings report. Facebook releases second quarter results on Wednesday.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/facebook-suspends-another-data-firm).
Unity Technologies is set to go public as it becomes one of the most successful game developing platforms with over two billion active users. Cheddar's Michelle Castillo reports.
Walmart said Thursday it may join Microsoft to buy the U.S. business of TikTok, the popular Chinese-owned video app that has come under fire from the Trump administration.
Gamelancer launches a new platform to help gamers connect with other user and monetize their time online. CEO Razvan Romanescu and COO Darren Lopes talk players' ability to connect with users whether they want to simply make friends or get their gaming skills up.
TikTok CEO Kevin Mayer has resigned amid U.S. pressure for its Chinese owner to sell the popular video app, which the White House says is a security risk.
Bingie is making it easier to discover new shows and share recommendations with friends and family. Joe Lane, CEO, joined Cheddar to discuss the launch of the app.
Desktop Metal, 3D printing company, is set to go public. Ric Fulop, CEO, joined Cheddar to discuss the company's success in various industries.
Climate investing platform Raise Green on Tuesday announced a new initiative to provide upstart solar projects with the knowledge, know-how, and intellectual property to hit the ground running. Called the Originator Engine, the software was developed in partnership with IBM to aggregate and "templatize" thousands of documents and contracts necessary to do business.
Circle-K convenience stores are in for a makeover following a new partnership with Standard Cognition to make the customer experience easier with cashierless checkout.
Video app TikTok is waging a legal fight against the Trump Administration’s efforts to ban the popular, Chinese-owned service over national-security concerns.
From Wall Street to Silicon Valley, these are the top stories that moved markets and had investors, business leaders, and entrepreneurs talking this week on Cheddar.
