Cambridge Analytica is shutting down

Cambridge Analytica, the political consultancy at the centre of the Facebook data-sharing scandal, is shutting down. The firm was accused of improperly obtaining personal information on behalf of political clients. According to Facebook, data about up to 87 million of its members was harvested by a quiz app and then passed on to the political consultancy. The social network said its own probe into the matter would continue. “This doesn’t change our commitment and determination to understand exactly what happened and make sure it doesn’t happen again,” said a spokesman. “We are continuing with our investigation in cooperation with the relevant authorities.” What are the accusations against Cambridge Analytica? The company has been accused of using the personal data of millions of Facebook users to sway the outcome of the US 2016 presidential election and the UK Brexit referendum. In March, Channel 4 aired undercover footage of Cambridge Analytica’s CEO, Alexander Nix, giving examples of how the firm could swing elections around the world with underhand tactics such as smear campaigns and honey traps. The UK-based company, which denies any wrongdoing, has an extensive record of working abroad on many election campaigns, including in Italy, Kenya and Nigeria. Why does it say it is shutting? Clarence Mitchell, a spokesman for Cambridge Analytica, referred the BBC to a statement on the firm’s website. “Over the past several months, Cambridge Analytica has been the subject of numerous unfounded accusations and, despite the company’s efforts to correct the record, has been vilified for activities that are not only legal, but also widely accepted as a standard component of online advertising in both the political and commercial arenas,” it said. “Despite Cambridge Analytica’s unwavering confidence that its employees have acted ethically and lawfully… the siege of media coverage has driven away virtually all of the company’s customers and suppliers. “As a result, it has been determined that it is no longer viable to continue operating the business.” The statement added that its parent company SCL Elections was also commencing bankruptcy proceedings. How the scandal unfolded 17 March: The Observer and the New York Times publish accounts by Cambridge Analytica’s ex-employee Christopher Wylie, saying 50 million Facebook accounts were improperly harvested by the company 23 March: The UK’s data watchdog is granted a warrant to search Cambridge Analytica’s office 27 March: Christopher Wylie appears in front of a committee of UK MPs 4 April: Facebook says it now believes up to 87 million people’s data was improperly shared with Cambridge Analytica 10 April: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is questioned by US lawmakers about the scandal 17 April: Alexander Nix, the former boss of Cambridge Analytica, refuses to appear before British MPs 26 April: The UK parliamentary committee threatens to issue Mark Zuckerberg with a “formal summons for him to appear when he is next in the UK” as questions remain unanswered 2 May: Cambridge Analytica announces its closure Source: BBC