QUICKLOOK: Data and Disinformation
Video debrief: Investigating Cambridge Analytica
Introduction:
In recent years, the proliferation of social media platforms and big data has raised serious concerns about the impact of these technologies on politics and democracy. One of the most prominent examples of this is the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which exposed how a data analytics firm used personal information obtained from Facebook to manipulate public opinion during the 2016 US presidential election. The documentary "Data and Disinformation: Investigating Cambridge Analytica" produced by Real Stories on YouTube provides an in-depth look at the role that Cambridge Analytica played in the spread of propaganda and misinformation during the election.
Event Summary:
The documentary features Charles Creel, the special advisor to the UK House of Commons Select Committee on fake news, who discusses the committee's investigation into Cambridge Analytica's involvement in Facebook's data breach and Donald Trump's election campaign. Creel explains how the company used data profiling to target vulnerable individuals with specific messaging and how it collaborated with religious organizations to obtain and use personal data for political purposes. Additionally, the documentary shows how Cambridge Analytica exploited the vulnerabilities of social media users to influence their political views and behavior, using psychological profiling to identify susceptible individuals and targeting them with tailored campaigns.
The documentary also includes interviews with whistleblowers and other key players in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, providing a powerful insight into the inner workings of the company and the strategies it employed to manipulate public opinion. This information sheds light on the dangerous consequences of unchecked data manipulation in politics and highlights the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the use of personal data.
Assessment:
The documentary emphasizes the dangers of propaganda and misinformation in politics and underscores the urgent need for regulations to prevent the abuse of personal data in political campaigns. It highlights the importance of media literacy in combating the spread of disinformation and promoting a healthy democracy. The documentary also raises important ethical questions about the use of data analytics in politics and the potential impact of these technologies on the democratic process.
Conclusion:
"Data and Disinformation: Investigating Cambridge Analytica" is a powerful documentary that sheds light on the dangerous consequences of unchecked data manipulation in politics. By exposing the unethical practices of Cambridge Analytica, the documentary calls for greater transparency and accountability in the use of personal data and highlights the need for more robust regulations to protect individuals' privacy. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the intersection of technology, politics, and ethics and provides important insights into the role that propaganda and misinformation can play in the manipulation of public opinion.