International
UK orders Cambridge Analytica to release data on US voter
Data firm Cambridge Analytica has been ordered to release to a US voter, all data and personal information the company holds about him.
The order by the UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) now paves the way for as many as 240 million US voters on whom the company claims to have data to file the same request.
Reports say Cambridge Analytica and its UK parent SCL Elections Ltd. which have begun bankruptcy proceedings have been given 30 days to comply with the order or appeal, or face a criminal prosecution.
Read also: US charges, declare 9 Iranians wanted
“We are aware of recent media reports concerning Cambridge Analytica’s future but whether or not the people behind the company decide to fold their operation, a continued refusal to engage with the ICO will potentially breach an Enforcement Notice and that then becomes a criminal matter,” Elizabeth Denham, the information commissioner, said in a statement.
Moments after declaring bankruptcy, the Trump-affiliated data firm blamed “unfairly negative media coverage” and said it has been “vilified” for actions it says are both legal and widely accepted as part of online advertising.
Cambridge Analytica said it has filed papers to begin insolvency proceedings in the U.K. and will seek bankruptcy protection in a federal court in New York.
Facebook has also said it will keep looking into data misuse by Cambridge Analytica even though the firm is closing down.
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