Democracy Now! Audio "These Companies Are Not Your Friend": Journalist Carole Cadwalladr on Facebook, OpenAI, Palantir & More
Jun 5, 2025
Carole Cadwalladr, an award-winning investigative journalist known for her work on the Cambridge Analytica scandal, dives deep into the repercussions of unregulated tech giants such as OpenAI and Palantir. She discusses the alarming misuse of data to influence democracy, especially during the Brexit campaign. Cadwalladr highlights the ethical dilemmas surrounding AI and data privacy, urging the need for strict regulation. She also emphasizes exploring alternatives to Big Tech that prioritize user privacy, championing citizen-led initiatives.
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Cambridge Analytica Data Scandal Exposed
- Carole Cadwalladr exposed Cambridge Analytica's misuse of Facebook data for political manipulation in 2018.
- She revealed Steve Bannon's involvement and obtained whistleblower evidence to prove illegal data harvesting.
Tech Giants' Legal Impunity
- Silicon Valley tech giants enjoy total legal impunity despite proven wrongdoing.
- Leaders act unimpeded, worsening the situation seen with Facebook and OpenAI.
Personal Backlash for Journalism
- Cadwalladr was personally sued and harassed after exposing Brexit campaign violations and Russian ties.
- She faced misogynistic online abuse and legal battles while her employer did little to defend her.