In today’s Quick Hits, Congress has some questions for Facebook plus we talk about politics and social media, as well as the possibility of letting users make money off of their personal data.

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Congress Wants Answers Over Facebook Privacy Breach

Congressmen Edward Markey (D) and Joe Barton (R) have some questions for Facebook and they’re giving the company until October 27th to answer them. The leaders of the House Bi-Partisan Privacy Caucus, Markey and Barton want to know more about the Facebook privacy breach unearthed by the Wall Street Journal yesterday. Specifically, they want to know “how many people were affected by the reported data breach, when Facebook was aware of the problem and how Facebook plans to remedy the problem.” Facebook has gone on record saying that the media has sensationalized the breach, and some tech analysts agree, but given Facebook’s track record on privacy, it’s no surprise to see Congress take an interest in this incident.

Ex-Model Wins Lawsuit to Reveal YouTube Cyberbully

Ex-model Carla Frankin was dismayed when she discovered that an anonymous stranger on YouTube had called her a “whore” and “posted unauthorized clips from a movie she appeared in during her modeling days.” Rather than accept the abuse, however, Franklin fought back by suing Google to reveal the identity of the attacker. This past Friday, a New York judge granted Franklin’s request and ordered Google to give up the user’s real name. This isn’t the first time that someone has taken to the courtroom to force Google to reveal an anonymous cyberbully – the Liskula Cohen case comes to mind – but it is rare to see victims use the legal system to their advantage. Unfortunately, the costs and time associated with fighting an anonymous bully in court are typically too great for most people.

Spain Files Lawsuit Against Google Over Street View

The Spanish Agency for Data Protection (AEPD) announced yesterday that it has filed a lawsuit against Google for “allegedly capturing data from Internet users when it collected photos for its Street View service.” The lawsuit is but one of many that Google has faced over its Street View services. The company caused considerable consternation throughout Europe when it was discovered that Google Street View cars were accidentally collecting Wi-Fi payload data as they drove.

Giving Away Personal Data for Money?

What is one way to give users control over their personal data? Make companies pay for it. At least that’s what Sean Murphy of the US Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) suggests. In a recent report, Murphy acknowledged that behavioral advertising isn’t going away, so the best way to provide consumers choice over how they share their data is for advertisers to offer some kind of economic incentive for the data. Sharing data could result in a small payment or a discount on advertised services.

Politicians Rely Heavily on Social Media for Branding and Fundraising

This article from Bloomberg explores how Senate candidates have become increasingly reliant on social media tools as a way to energize their supporters, raise money, and respond to criticism directly. The article goes into detail on how some candidates have been successful in amassing thousands of Twitter followers or Facebook fans and what it has meant for their polling numbers thus far.

Dave Pell: What Happens in Facebook Stays in Facebook

What you look like and how you act online may not necessarily reflect how you are in real life, but it is the digital version of you that people will judge first. Dave Pell brings this point home strongly in a well-told anecdote about two friends whose only contact had been on Facebook for many years. One friend was burned out by the other friend’s incessant political discussions online, so much so that he wasn’t sure he wanted to spend time with him in person again. When they did spend time together, however, they quickly realized how much they have in common and became fast friends again. This story shows how, even among old friends, the Internet can color your perception of someone in a negative light.