The Cambridge Analytica scandal
The Cambridge Analytica scandal emerged in 2018 when it was revealed that the political consulting firm harvested personal data from millions of Facebook users without their consent. This data was used to create targeted political advertising, influencing voters in key elections, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election. The revelation raised serious concerns about privacy, data ethics, and the manipulation of democratic processes. It led to widespread backlash against Facebook, discussions on regulation of data usage, and greater awareness of how personal information can be exploited in politics.
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The Cambridge Analytica scandal involved the misuse of personal data from millions of Facebook users to influence political campaigns, notably the 2016 U.S. presidential election. A firm obtained user data without proper consent, using it to create targeted advertisements aimed at swaying voter opinions. This raised significant concerns about privacy, data protection, and the ethical implications of using psychological profiling in politics. The scandal highlighted vulnerabilities in social media platforms and prompted debates about regulation, accountability, and the impact of technology on democracy.