Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal

What Happened?

The Facebook-Cambridge Analytica scandal revealed the unauthorized harvesting of personal data from over 87 million Facebook users. Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm, used this data to create psychographic profiles that targeted individuals with tailored political advertisements during events such as the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election and the Brexit campaign.

How It Worked

• Data Collection: Third-party apps on Facebook, like a personality quiz app, collected user data and that of their friends—without consent.

• Psychographic Profiling: This data was analyzed to predict users’ political affiliations, beliefs, and vulnerabilities.
• Targeted Advertising: Customized political content was delivered to influence voting behavior

Key Implications

• Erosion of Trust: Users lost confidence in Facebook’s ability to protect their data.

• Legal Repercussions: Facebook faced a $5 billion fine from the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
• Global Conversations: The scandal spurred discussions on digital ethics and led to new privacy laws like the GDPR.