Facebook has suspended analytics firm Crimson Hexagon while it investigates how it collects and shares data from the social media site and its Instagram platform.
The social media giant has been facing increased scrutiny over how third-party firms use its data since news broke in March that data firm Cambridge Analytica improperly accessed user data.
The Wall Street Journal first reported that Facebook had suspended the Boston-based Crimson Hexagon.
The newspaper said among the firm's clients is a Russian non-profit with ties to the Kremlin.
"We don't allow developers to build surveillance tools using information from Facebook or Instagram," said Ime Archibong, Facebook's vice president of product partnerships.
"We take these allegations seriously, and we have suspended these apps while we investigate."
Facebook said on Friday that Crimson Hexagon is cooperating and so far its investigation has not found evidence that the firm obtained Facebook or Instagram information inappropriately.
Crimson Hexagon says on its website it has access to over one trillion consumer conversations from social media, forums, blogs and reviews.
In a blog posting, Crimson Hexagon Chief Technology Officer Chris Bingham said the company "abides completely" by the rules social media sites including Twitter and Facebook put in place to limit the ways third-party companies can use their data.
He said the firm only collects publicly available social media data, contrasting that with CA's use of private user data.
Users of Crimson Hexagon's platform, which include government customers, analyse the data to understand large-scale consumer trends and preferences, Mr Bingham wrote.
Australian Associated Press
