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Ted Cruz using firm that harvested data on millions of unwitting Facebook users
The Guardian ^ | December 11, 2015 | Harry Davies

Posted on 12/11/2015 12:40:46 PM PST by McGruff

Ted Cruz's presidential campaign is using psychological data based on research spanning tens of millions of Facebook users, harvested largely without their permission, to boost his surging White House run and gain an edge over Donald Trump and other Republican rivals, the Guardian can reveal.

A little-known data company, now embedded within Cruz's campaign and indirectly financed by his primary billionaire benefactor, paid researchers at Cambridge University to gather detailed psychological profiles about the US electorate using a massive pool of mainly unwitting US Facebook users built with an online survey.

(Excerpt) Read more at theguardian.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: canadian; cruz; manipulation; robertmercer
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Sounds hugh and series.
1 posted on 12/11/2015 12:40:46 PM PST by McGruff
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To: myself

I wouldn’t mind if he hijacked some of my in-laws Facebook accounts.


2 posted on 12/11/2015 12:41:52 PM PST by McGruff (I don't know if sand can glow in the dark, but we’re going to find out - Ted Cruz)
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To: McGruff
Why does this NOT fill me with fear?
3 posted on 12/11/2015 12:44:08 PM PST by Slyfox (Ted Cruz does not need the presidency - the presidency needs Ted Cruz)
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To: McGruff

Facebook harvests data on millions of unwitting Facebook users. It’s kind of their business model.


4 posted on 12/11/2015 12:45:06 PM PST by rightwingcrazy
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To: McGruff

when the rats do this, it’s cool and hip and super tech savvy


5 posted on 12/11/2015 12:45:17 PM PST by Vortex (Garbage In, Garbage Out)
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To: McGruff

Oh, the hugh Manatees.

Grow up, Guardian.

How’z Dorkbama the Muslim working out for ya?

We think he is the baseline from which all intelligence is measured.


6 posted on 12/11/2015 12:45:42 PM PST by Da Coyote
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To: McGruff

If Obama had done this (and I’m not convinced he hasn’t) the MSM would be crowing about how high tech & modern his organization is.


7 posted on 12/11/2015 12:45:42 PM PST by skeeter
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To: going hot; V K Lee; hoosiermama; RoosterRedux; JoeSeales; onyx; Jane Long; DoughtyOne; ...

Uh Oh.


8 posted on 12/11/2015 12:47:45 PM PST by Amntn
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To: rightwingcrazy

True but for the purpose of their own political sides benefit.

Zuckerburg has got to be puking at the thought of Cruz using this data... LOL!!!!


9 posted on 12/11/2015 12:48:15 PM PST by MNlurker
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To: McGruff
harvested largely without their permission

The LIE hidden amongst the TRUTH.

That data was harvested largely with their awareness, but it was not without their permission.

You gotta read that fine print when you register.

Besides, the whole concept of FACEBOOK was to be able to mine the treasure of data that people would happily provide. When it tells you that so and so has the same interests as you..... not understanding how it knows that is just ignorance of the obvious.

10 posted on 12/11/2015 12:48:36 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: Amntn

LOLOL...good luck, I took my face book down along time ago....nothing there but ‘crickets’ now....


11 posted on 12/11/2015 12:49:23 PM PST by HarleyLady27 (TRUMP SUPPORTER 100% from day ONE!!!)
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To: McGruff

LOL!!


12 posted on 12/11/2015 12:50:50 PM PST by Jane Long (Go Trump, go! Make America Safe Again :)
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To: Amntn

.....’to boost his surging White House run’...


Surging!


13 posted on 12/11/2015 12:51:27 PM PST by Jane Long (Go Trump, go! Make America Safe Again :)
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To: McGruff

so what?


14 posted on 12/11/2015 12:51:39 PM PST by G Larry (ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS impose SLAVE WAGES on LEGAL Immigrants.)
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To: skeeter
If Obama had done this (and I'm not convinced he hasn't)

"Obama dominated the social media space because his team got how networks work. The real power of social media is not in the number of posts or Tweets but in user engagement measured by content spreadability. For example, Obama logged twice as many Facebook “Likes” and nearly 20 times as many re-tweets as Romney. With his existing social media base and spreadable content, Obama had far superior reach."

How Obama Won the Social Media Battle in the 2012 Presidential Campaign

15 posted on 12/11/2015 12:54:54 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: skeeter
P.S.

the MSM would be crowing about how high tech & modern his organization is.

They did that too. Same article I linked.

16 posted on 12/11/2015 12:56:21 PM PST by UCANSEE2 (Lost my tagline on Flight MH370. Sorry for the inconvenience.)
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To: McGruff

It’s definitely registering way up there on my give a crap meter. I will worry about it after I finish sorting my socks


17 posted on 12/11/2015 12:56:54 PM PST by plain talk
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To: Amntn

FaceBook is a TOOL for all.

I long ago signed-up for Ted Cruz and sent donations to him.

Like I continue to state: I will be perfectly HAPPY if Ted Cruz is our nominee.

TRMP or CRUZ. PERIOD.


18 posted on 12/11/2015 12:58:14 PM PST by onyx
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To: McGruff

unwitting Facebook users,

but I repeat myself


19 posted on 12/11/2015 12:59:13 PM PST by Scrambler Bob (Using 4th keyboard due to wearing out the "/" and "s" on the previous 3)
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To: McGruff
That's IT!

I was going to vote for him but now I'm voting Hillary!

20 posted on 12/11/2015 12:59:21 PM PST by PROCON (It's not islamophobia, it's islamonausea)
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