UM Carey Law Professors James Grimmelmann and Leslie Meltzer Henry made that allegation in a letter to Maryland Attorney General Doug Gansler. They say the social media site and online dating firm OkCupid violated federal and Maryland laws governing any research involving humans.

Facebook admits it altered users’ “news feeds” in order to manipulate their emotional state. In a blog posting titled, “We Experiment on Human Beings!” OkCupid’s CEO admits the company took away online photos for a day to see how users would react, and to examine how communications patterns would change.  Both companies deny wrongdoing. Professors Grimmelmann and Meltzer Henry explain their case in The Atlantic and in The Washington Post. To arrange an interview, please contact Jill Yesko, Senior Media Relations Specialist at 410-706-3803 or at JYesko@umaryland.edu.