Former Facebook Exec: Facebook, Google Are 'Surveillance States'

A former Facebook executive said Thursday Facebook and Google act as "surveillance states" because of the vast amount of data they have on users.

Chamath Palihapitiya, CEO of Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings, spoke with CNBC about the state of the technology industry.

"Amazon is a microscopic portion of global consumption today, so ultimately I think it has more room to grow before it invites regulatory overview," Palihapitiya said. "On the other hand, Facebook and Google effectively are surveillance states. And they have so much personal, private information about so many citizens of so many countries."

Palihapitiya worked at Facebook from 2005-2011, and has worked as a venture capitalist since.

He referenced Google having to deal with European regulators and being fined for breaching antitrust rules, saying, "It's already beginning. Because it's part and parcel to them realizing that there's too much power unbounded."

Facebook announced in March that it does not allow the data it collects on users to be used by developers for surveillance of any kind.

Google removed hundreds of apps over the summer after it determined they were being used to conduct cyberattacks.

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