US Lawmakers Want To Question Facebook About Closed Group Privacy

U.S. lawmakers have a bone to pick with Facebook over allegations that the social media giant revealed users' sensitive health information in so-called "closed" groups.

On Tuesday, leaders of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce sent a letter to Facebook chairman and CEO Mark Zuckerberg demanding a briefing about the accusations.

Here's what happened: a security researcher and health advocates recently filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission that said Facebook "deceptively solicited patients" to share personal health information in closed groups on the site. According to the complaint, Facebook then leaked that data to the public.

Now, the Energy and Commerce committee is looking into whether Facebook "potentially misled" users into joining those closed groups and revealing more information than they otherwise would have.

Last week, The Washington Post reported the FTC and Facebook are negotiating over a record-setting fine for violating users' privacy. Both sides are working out a deal but refused to elaborate on the private discussions.