[Safe_Timber_Man]

So I think we should probably talk about this.

For those who haven't watched the expose yet, you can see it here (only if you're in the UK, I think?)

http://www.channel4.com/programmes/channel-4-news


Cambridge Analytica have been talked about for quite a while now. I noticed Ian Dunt https://twitter.com/IanDunt has been especially vocal about them for ages. He was often dismissed as a conspiracy theorist and those trying to expose them didn't really have the clout to be noticed. I think Arron Banks tried to mock him over it a while back, too.

So what happens now? What could the fall-out be from this? Is there a genuine chance of some big names getting a knock on the door? Steve Bannon? Arron Banks? Farage? They're all linked to it.

What does seem fucking stupid is that The Information Commissioner's Office publicly announced they'll be seeking a warrant to raid their offices. I mean, maybe it isn't as simple as I think, but surely that's unwise seeing as now Cambridge Analytica have had warning they can start deleting all incriminating evidence?

I think we're in for the long haul on this story. A lot of people involved and it's linked to both Trump and Brexit.

A quick look at the Mailtes reaction to this and at the moment they're onboard with holding Cambridge Analytica to account. I suspect that's going to change, though, when they realise what's really being said. I very much doubt they're going to hold their hands up and say "Yup. fair enough, we were manipulated into voting for Brexit".

[Samanfur]

According to Victoria Derbyshire's interview with the Information Commissioner this morning, Facebook've already been allowed into the CA offices on request, so what evidence there is could very easily be missing or part of a contaminated crime scene.

[Safe_Timber_Man]

I've seen mixed reports on that, too. On one hand a warrant is being sought but on the other hand officials have already been into the offices and told the Facebook investigators to stand down.

I'm also not sure where Facebook stand on this and who's side they're going to take. Cooperate and help bring down Cambridge Analytica or attempt to white wash it so that their involvement doesn't damage them any more than it already has.

Edit: Looks like this has been confirmed:

[youngian]

Pulling strokes like obtaining data illegal aside what is wrong with data mining? All electioneering involves gathering data to target specific voters.

[Safe_Timber_Man]

The CEO, in the undercover sting, offered things like honey-traps with Ukrainian hookers and blackmailing politicians.

[Kreuzberger]

I think that it is important to separate the dirty tricks from the data tricks.

The former is as old as the hills and has an air of inevitability to it when you consider that they are said to have MI5 and MI6 alumni on board. There is probably a law against it - perhaps someone can enlighten us.

The data tricks are a whole new box of biscuits and, whilst there are data protection laws in place, it is difficult to see how they could remotely be seen as adequate or providing proportionate sanction in cases like this.

However, the reputational damage is likely to be fatal. And that is a good thing. Even so, it is probably spawning copycat outfits as we speak.

The implications for Brexit though must be - or should be - fundamental. The knife-edge outcome of the referendum must be in doubt.

Still, we will never really know until those machines are inspected by specialists who know exactly what they are doing. Any attempt to destroy these data must surely be perverting the course of justice. A paradox, perhaps, but that probably carries potentially greater punishment that destroying the country.

[Safe_Timber_Man]

I think the Tories will be caught up in it. They've approached CA in the past and it's looking like CA may well have been behind Corbyn smearing.

CA openly talked about how they were involved in the Kenyan elections and their 'work' was shown on the expose.

Looks familiar:


Credit: https://twitter.com/EL4JC

[Kreuzberger]

Those ads look very Saatchis to me. They really are a one-trick pony on political work.

Anyway, let's run a simple search for "bell pottinger cambridge analytica".

Then, guess which agency's board Tim Bell used to sit on.

[visage]

As the saying goes; if you're using a website and you're not buying a product then you are the product.

[Safe_Timber_Man]

As the saying goes; if you're using a website and you're not buying a product then you are the product.

Hmmm.

All that work Kreuzberger was doing on this forum.

What was he really doing...

[Safe_Timber_Man]

A quick look at the Mailtes reaction to this and at the moment they're onboard with holding Cambridge Analytica to account. I suspect that's going to change, though, when they realise what's really being said.

Well, that didn't take very long...



Credit: https://twitter.com/DMReporter


I think the penny has dropped and they don't like what all this is pointing to.

[youngian]

The CEO, in the undercover sting, offered things like honey-traps with Ukrainian hookers and blackmailing politicians.

That's all the dodgy stuff but I'm still trying to get to grips with what's wrong with targetting people online with political advertising. We all do it in an analogue form with electoral rolls to micro target local supporters and waverers to get them out to vote. And if the Tories have been hiring CA they should ask for their money back.

[Safe_Timber_Man]

The Sun have finally decided on an angle for this and it'll surprise nobody:

THE SUN SAYS: Trumped up

THE Facebook data scandal is being wildly exaggerated for political ends.

Those most excited wouldn’t give a damn had it not supposedly helped Donald Trump into power. Some even farcically claim it turned the Brexit vote.

They blamed “racism”, Boris’s bus, The Sun and other Brexit-backing papers. Now it was down to “data-harvesting”.

Will they ever accept that 52 per cent of voters simply disagreed with them?

Also note how they (the Mail did it yesterday) are trying their hardest to make this all about Facebook, rather than Cambridge Analytica.

[youngian]

They blamed “racism”, Boris’s bus, The Sun and other Brexit-backing papers. Now it was down to “data-harvesting”.

Will they ever accept that 52 per cent of voters simply disagreed with them?

Point taken I'll stick to blaming Cameron's shit campaign and the stupidity of holding an EURef when your main ally is Jeremy Corbyn.

[The Red Arrow]