Everyone is talking about Cambridge Analytica, -- heres whats going on

[FarCenter]

Everyone is talking about Cambridge Analytica, the Trump-linked data firm that harvested 50 million Facebook profiles — here’s what’s going on

Facebook and data analytics company Cambridge Analytica (CA) are in hot water after a whistleblower revealed that CA harvested data from 50 million Facebook users without their knowledge or consent.

Former employee Christopher Wylie went public with the story over the weekend for an extensive, densely-reported article in Britain's Observer newspaper.

The revelations have since led to British, EU, and US authorities to launch investigations into Facebook and CA — but the details can be pretty tough to keep a hold of. Here's what's going on:

What did Cambridge Analytica do?

CA harvested information from 50 million Facebook users through an external app in 2015, according to Wylie, who worked there at the time.


The data came from a personality quiz, which around 270,000 people were paid to take. The quiz — "thisisyourdigitallife" — in turn pulled data from their friends' profiles as well, ending in the enormous data stash.

http://www.businessinsider.com/cambridge-analytica-a-guide-to-the-trump-linked-data-firm-that-harvested-50-million-facebook-profiles-2018-3

Much more at the link. A long and fairly comprehensive account of what actually happened.

[BadGimp]

1. FOLLOW THE DATA!

As usual, the media is chasing the wrong story. Going after Facebook is easy and overlooks the more important aspect of the story.

Follow The Data. Cambridge Analytica only mined and massaged the data. Someone else used the data to do ad and message targeting. WHO WAS THAT. Then the much bigger question is DID THE RUSSIANS GET THEIR HANDS ON THE DATA? And if they did, WHO GAVE IT TO THEM.?

I have been saying to anyone who would listen: The Russians did not have the data needed to launch and manage their disinformation efforts. Someone gave them the data they needed. WHO GAVE THE RUSSIANS THE DATA?

[FarCenter]

4. If an academic at a university got the data, EVERYBODY got the data

IT security at colleges and universities is notoriously bad.

If some idiot gave permission for an academic to collect the data, the idiot should be fired.

On the other hand, it looks like the Professor simply used available Facebook tools to set up the questionnaire and collect the data.

[duforsure]

2. Aren't they now libel for damages

Class action coming?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

3. K&FuckingR! Everyone involved with this neo fascist takeover needs to be exposed. nt