Why Loreena McKennitt is leaving Facebook and half a million followers

These days, Facebook—or other social media platforms—are used by thousands of musicians, actors, writers and other celebrities to communicate with their fans.

It allows artists to show work, announce a new album, and, perhaps as important, get feedback from those who follow them.

This June, however, one fewer musician will be using Facebook.

It's really more out of concern of being part of a greater infrastructure that is presently compromised- Loreena McKennitt

Multiple-Grammy-nominee and Juno winner Loreena McKennitt is quitting the service, despite having more than half a million followers.

She told Spark host Nora that, following recent data breaches, she has lost faith in Facebook's ability to safely manage private information.

"It's really more out of concern of being part of a greater infrastructure that is presently compromised, and feeling like I want to take a time out until the legislators and the regulators have had a chance to really address the concerns."

The musician, known around the world for her Celtic-inspired melodies, said she believes there need to be some controls put on Facebook, and, until that happens, she's staying off. She said it's less about her personal data—she has never had a personal account on Facebook—but more about encouraging the protection of democracy.

However, McKennitt has already had one brush with invasion of privacy, after a former friend and employee published a book that contained intimate details about her personal life.

She successfully took the court case to the United Kingdom's House of Lords, who ruled in her favour, preventing the book's publication. The case set an important legal precedent regarding what is considered private information, she said.

McKennitt acknowledged that Facebook is a very convenient way of engaging with her fans, but added that she also maintains an email group to share announcements and other news.

"I always kept a mailing list, even from the time I was busking," she said.

McKennitt's latest album, Lost Souls, will be released in May.