Facebook demands academics disable ad-targeting data tool

BOSTON (AP) — Academics, journalists and First Amendment lawyers are rallying behind New York University researchers in a showdown with Facebook over its demand that they halt the collection of data on political ads-targeting the site. The researchers say the disputed tool is vital to understanding how Facebook has been used to as a conduit for disinformation and manipulation. The company says the special browser plug-in the researchers have distributed to thousands of volunteers across th