TED Talks Daily Facebook's role in Brexit -- and the threat to democracy | Carole Cadwalladr
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Apr 16, 2019 
Journalist Carole Cadwalladr, known for her deep dive into the influence of social media on democracy, addresses the unsettling role of Facebook in the Brexit referendum. She explores how targeted misinformation swayed critical votes and critiques the tech giants for their lack of accountability. Cadwalladr discusses chilling parallels between Brexit and the US elections, raising questions about the integrity of democratic processes in the digital age. Her insights challenge listeners to reconsider the future of free and fair elections in a media-saturated world.
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Ebbw Vale's Brexit Vote
- Carole Cadwalladr returned to her hometown, Ebbw Vale, to investigate its high Leave vote.
- Despite visible EU-funded projects, residents expressed dissatisfaction and cited immigration concerns, though few immigrants lived there.
Facebook's Dark Influence
- A resident revealed exposure to anti-immigration content on Facebook, especially regarding Turkey.
- Cadwalladr's investigation was hampered by Facebook's lack of ad transparency and data archiving.
Vote Leave's Illegal Activities
- Cadwalladr claims the Vote Leave campaign illegally laundered money, using it for disinformation.
- This targeted advertising on Facebook was micro-targeted to persuadable voters, exploiting loopholes in electoral law.