Third-party apps developed using Facebook tools are disabled while the company makes changes to its platform

Vietnamese firms that reach customers via Facebook had their apps either deny login attempts or reject new user signups on Wednesday while the world’s largest social network applied changes on its platform against the backdrop of a data breach.

Programmers worldwide are able to develop apps for Facebook and its instant messaging app, Messenger, through the respective Facebook Platform and Messenger Platform.

The platforms provide developers with the application programming interface (API), a tool which allows them to build apps using Facebook features and user data.

Some of the most common types of apps used by Vietnamese businesses are those that allow them to receive shopping orders directly on Facebook, automatically respond to customer requests via Messenger, and enable customers to log into websites using personal Facebook accounts.

However, users were left frustrated on Wednesday when they neither were able to log into these websites using Facebook nor use their accounts to speak with chatbots – Messenger apps that automatically handle customer service. All third-party apps that use API to collect data from users were also disabled the same day.

With the apps disabled, page owners were forced to read and manually respond to all comments and messages sent to their pages, an often onerous task for those with a large fan base.

This appears to be a global phenomenon as Facebook scrambles to make changes to its platform in the wake of a scandal involving British political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica allegedly using illegally obtained data from more than 50 million Facebook users to influence political outcomes.

The social network, with more than two billion active monthly users, announced earlier this week that it had made some updates to the Facebook and Messenger Platforms, following the crisis that shaved more than US$100 billion off its market value.

In an announcement, Facebook said it is making some updates to the way its platform works in order to “maintain the trust people place in Facebook when they share information.”

The changes include pausing app reviews – disallowing submissions and approvals for new apps on the platform, and tightening requirements for apps that want to access data relating to their users and their friends.

“These are critical steps that involve reviewing developers' actions for evidence of misuse, implementing additional measures to protect data, and giving people more control over their information,” it said.

As for Messenger, Facebook is also pausing app reviews, which means there will be “no new chatbots or experiences added to the platform” while the company reviews its policies and makes necessary adjustments.

Facebook also pledges to conduct an in-depth review of its platform in the near future, when it investigates “all apps that had access to large amounts of information,” followed by a full audit of any app with suspicious activity.