February 10 2025
Cambridge Analytica, a now-defunct British political consulting firm, is known for its controversial data mining, data brokerage, and data analysis work. It had a significant influence on numerous political campaigns globally, most notably the Brexit campaign and Donald Trump's 2016 presidential bid. The company's practices, however, have been the subject of much scrutiny and criticism.
Recent reports reveal a new twist in Cambridge Analytica's narrative. It appears that gun lobbyists played a crucial role in providing the company with customer data. According to a document received by the Senate Judiciary Committee, the National Rifle Association (NRA) allegedly shared data about its supporters with Cambridge Analytica.
The document, a contract, was signed by the NRA and Cambridge Analytica in 2014. It detailed an arrangement for NRA to provide the data firm with a list of its email subscribers. The contract was for a total of $1.2 million, covering services such as voter engagement, data modeling, and digital marketing.
The information shared allegedly included names, addresses, and specific gun ownership details. It's unclear, however, whether the NRA informed its subscribers that their data would be shared with Cambridge Analytica.
This revelation has raised concerns about the privacy rights of gun owners and the NRA's role in potentially violating these rights. It also adds another chapter to the ongoing debate about Cambridge Analytica's controversial practices and their impact on democratic processes.
