A little-known data firm that claimed to have live sex video chatplayed a key role in last year's U.S. presidential election is being targeted in an inquiry about the misuse of personal data during last year's Brexit referendum.
SEE ALSO: How a little-known data firm helped Trump become presidentThe UK's privacy watchdog, the ICO (Information Commissioner's Office) has confirmed the opening of an inquiry into Cambridge Analytica, a tech company mainly owned by a Trump-linked hedge-fund billionaire, Robert Mercer.
“We have concerns about Cambridge Analytica’s reported use of personal data and we are in contact with the organisation," an ICO spokesperson said.
“We are also conducting a wider assessment of the data protection risks arising from the use of data analytics, including for political purposes, and will be contacting a range of organisations. We intend to publicise our findings later this year.”
Cambridge Analytica, an offshoot of British company SCL group, uses data analysis to build "psychographic" profiles of people that could predict their voting intentions.
To do so, it harvests billions of data from social media, credit card histories, voting records, consumer data, purchase history, supermarket loyalty schemes, phone calls, field operatives, Facebook surveys and TV watching habits.
Mercer, a Trump backer and Breitbart investor, is a friend of former Ukip leader and Leave campaigner Nigel Farage.
Last week, The Observerreported that the billionaire directed Cambridge Analytica to provide "expert advice to the Leave campaign on how to target swing voters via Facebook".
According to British law, all donations of services-in-kind worth more than £7,500 ($9,166) need to be reported to the electoral commission. No donation from Cambridge Analytica or Mercer to the Leave campaign had been submitted.
A spokesman for Cambridge Analytica said the company "did not do any work (paid or unpaid) for the Leave.EU campaign."
"In 2015 the company was in discussions to potentially work with them. That work did not go ahead," he said. "We are in touch with the ICO, and are happy to demonstrate that we are completely compliant with UK and EU data law.”
Privacy experts have also expressed concerns about the firm's use of big data.
Unlike the U.S., where companies can use third-party data without seeking consent, European law allows the collection of personal data of individuals only where the individual has "unambiguously given his or her consent, after being adequately informed."
After the Trump's victory in November, Christopher Weatherhead, a technologist at Privacy International, said that despite the fact that some of the data is already in the public domain, people are probably unaware that it could be used for targeted ads.
"It is disturbing that people who share their stories online, who use the internet to educate themselves and explore, are being secretly monitored by companies who are profiling them, and selling the profiles, or digital doppelgängers, to a political party," he said.
"Is it possible to opt-out? There must be more public discussion around these issues," Weatherhead continued. "It is troubling that such detailed pictures of peoples' lives are able to be created without their knowledge that it is even happening."
Topics Donald Trump
China just built the world's biggest floating solar project
Joe Biden gives emotional SXSW speech on his Cancer Moonshot
Company offers friends for hire so your selfies look less sad
Rubin Observatory's first images flaunt millions of galaxies. Take a look.
How to survive Valentine's Day when you're heartbroken
Get ready for a bunch of new Apple products, including a phone in this long
'Deal with it' reporter is everyone's new favorite reaction GIF
J.K. Rowling predicted second Scottish independence referendum like, one minute after Brexit
Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Lakers 2025 livestream: Watch NBA online
The author of that heartbreaking dating profile for her husband has died
Obama photographer Pete Souza on Trump: 'We failed our children'
Woman makes incredible meals using only random office equipment
This hilarious parody nails the double standards women face when reporting sexual assault
'Hamilton' gets a second national tour because we deserve something nice
Donald Trump talked about space and Buzz Aldrin's face says it all
Airbnb continues to push Trips into more Asian countries
Comedian shuts down racist audience member in the most beautiful way
You might not know it, but this Kiwi city is a total street art wonderland
Tips for Playing PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
Here's what the home screen on Samsung's Galaxy S8 might look like
BYD, Chery, and CATL made it onto the 2024 Fortune 500 list · TechNodeNIO, Xpeng, Li Auto to use inEVs overtake monthly gasoline car sales for first time in China · TechNodeChina’s Zeekr to launch electric vehicles in Japan next year · TechNodeThai PM encourages scrutiny of Temu after eThai PM encourages scrutiny of Temu after eJapan’s Uniqlo sees potential for growth in China despite falling profit and revenue · TechNodeUber and China’s BYD partner for 100,000 EVs, autonomous driving · TechNodeNVIDIA to develop BlackwellRenault to develop cheaper EV batteries with CATL, LG Energy · TechNodeHonor launches Magic V Flip as its first flip foldable phone in China · TechNodeAI PC shipments hit 8.8 million in Q2, accounting for 14% of total PC shipments · TechNodeOnePlus Pad 2 debuts with upgraded vibrating tip stylus · TechNodeXpeng to contribute to all Volkswagen EVs in China starting 2026 · TechNodeTSMC’s market value surpasses a trillion dollars for the first time · TechNodeChina’s BYD to build $1 billion EV factory in Turkey to supply Europe · TechNodeHuawei and Baidu stockpile Samsung HBM chips as US export restrictions loom: report · TechNodeAlibaba says its mathRenault to develop cheaper EV batteries with CATL, LG Energy · TechNodeOnePlus Pad 2 debuts with upgraded vibrating tip stylus · TechNode Jeff Bezos stepped down as Amazon CEO and the jokes were delivered instantly How to avoid COVID Defiance, and Other News by Sadie Stein How to sign up to Threads Museum Hours by Drew Bratcher 'Quordle' today: See each 'Quordle' answer and hints for July 6 The Edible Woman by Sadie Stein Cities in Books, and Other News by Sadie Stein 'The Crowded Room' is based on a disturbing true story The Surreal Life by Tobias Carroll Confessions of an Accidental Book Ron Burgundy Is Writing a Memoir, and Other News by Sadie Stein 'Quordle' today: See each 'Quordle' answer and hints for July 8 Meet Twitter's breakout star of the 2021 Puppy Bowl, Chunky Monkey The 'Barbie' promotional tour is a movie on its own Mudbone, Sinbad, and the Typhoon Kid: A Pirate's Life for Me by Ted Scheinman Imaginary Extensions: A Conversation with Caleb Crain Sketches from the Trial of Bradley Manning by Molly Crabapple 'Quordle' today: See each 'Quordle' answer and hints for July 7 August by Sadie Stein
2.9646s , 8611.125 kb
Copyright © 2025 Powered by 【live sex video chat】,Evergreen Information Network