Cambridge Analytica Whistleblower: Background, Ethics, and Recommendations

This report provides a background analysis of the Cambridge Analytica scandal, discusses ethical issues, and offers recommendations.

Running head: CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA WHISTLEBLOWER
CAMBRIDGE ANALYTICA WHISTLEBLOWER
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author note

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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Background......................................................................................................................................2
Doing Ethics technique....................................................................................................................4
Sustainability framework theory..................................................................................................8
ICT Professional using Australian Code of Ethics..........................................................................9
Ethical framework, theory and responsibilities...........................................................................9
Australian Code of Ethics............................................................................................................9
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................10
Recommendation...........................................................................................................................10
References......................................................................................................................................11

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Introduction
This report will provide a proper background analysis of the entire scenario. This report
will also discuss about the doing ethics techniques that will be implemented in order to analyse
the case in a better manner. The sustainability framework will also be stated in the report. Ethical
framework, theory and other responsibilities will also be stated in this report. Decision making of
the stakeholders as per the data that are gathered will also be stated in the report. Usage of ICT
professional as per the Australian Code of Ethics will also be stated. This report will also discuss
about the knowledge regarding the application of the relevant legislation will also be provided.
Background
Donald Trump has been selected as the president and hence the main aspect that is taken
into consideration is that the process or the journey of Trump being the president has been dirty
as per the latest revelations. In the month of March, Facebook declared that the professor of the
St Petersburg University has performed illegal activities as per the norms of the Facebook
platform policies. This fraud was performed by using of the Facebook Login credentials and use
them illegally. This process was performed by the SLC/ Cambridge Analytica (Cadwalladr and
Graham-Harrison 2018). As per the former Cambridge Analytica parent company SLC,
employees Aleksandr Kogan and Christopher Wylie had an access to over 50 million Facebook
profiles. This was one of the data breaches that occurred in the history of Facebook management
system.
There was nothing in common in between Cristopher Wylie and his right wing boss
Robert Mercer. Another aspect that must be taken into consideration is that Robert Mercer has
been the sponsor and fund provider of the project. Steve Bannon was also related in the scenario

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as he was the key adviser to Trump. This is one of the major aspect that the journey of Donald
Trump being the president is considered as a dirty politics (Cadwalladr 2018). Kogan’s company
started developing the app that was used for the developing of propaganda and hence the
management of the entire process is performed as per the Global Science Research. Both of them
created a company and started the process of data breaching. The app that was used by the
Global Science Research for analysing the data was “ thisisyourdigitallife ”. The main concern of
this app was to understand the psychological aspect of the individuals. This is one of the major
aspect that helped in getting accustomed with the thought process (Olesen 2019). Personalized
quizzes were conducted during the psychological data collection process. This personalized quiz
are regarding the estimation of the political enhancement during the political propaganda.
The quiz that was conducted was seemingly harmless and hence better understanding of
the psychological changes can be performed. The number of 5 thousands different data points are
used for crafting a target for performing proper analysis and messages. The quiz that were
conducted were never the main target for SLC (Venturini and Rogers 2019). The quiz that was
conducted was a mere protocol that insists the functional processing of the quiz taking process.
The main goal of the quiz was to gain access to the database of the Facebook profiles of
individuals. As per the understanding of the personalities of the victims whose data was
gathered, strategies were developed (Richterich 2018). This was the major process that was
implemented by the SLC and the Cambridge Analytica for data collection. During commencing
of the quiz the major aspect that was stated in the process includes the fact that they stated the
users that the quiz is conducted for academic purpose and for no other means. Now the main
concern that arises includes that the users who were giving the test, there data was collected, not
only that the entire process acts like a chain action. The data of the friends of the users can also

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be fetched. This is one of the major reason that the entire process was harmed (Georgiadou
2018). This led to gaining data of more than 50 million users.
The data of over 50 million users were the major reason that the functional process of the
Cambridge Analytica got benefitted in data collection process (Williamson 2018). The policy
that was used was namely Facebook’s Platform policy process. The main aspect that was taken
into consideration includes the fact that the processing of the data management was performed
and data of friends cannot be collected unless the process is performed for bettering the user
experience of the users. As per the statements of Nix, the process was performed for creation of
individual target processing and engagement of the individual user. Usage of the Big 5 Traits
psychological model is used for better understanding of the entire scenario.
Now after collection of the required data the aspect that was concerning the entire process
was to convince the people in a manner that they elect Donal Trump as their president. Changing
the perception of America was considered as the main goal of the project. This is one of the main
concern that SLC had in creating changes in the election process.
Doing Ethics technique
Analysis of the situation using Doing Ethics Technique incurs the usage of proper
defining of the process that is going on. Understanding of the facts that are provided will also be
stated in the project. Discussing regarding the issues of the project will also be stated in the
report. The affected personnel will also be stated in this section. Ethical issues present and their
implications are also stated in this report. Discussion regarding the steps that must be taken and
the reason of selecting the step will also be stated in the report.
What is going on?

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Election process is one of the major concern that is taken into consideration in this case.
Data breaching from Facebook has affected the result of the election process. This is one of the
major reason that this report gets such high importance. Data breaching of 50 million Facebook
users have been a reason behind the win of Donal Trump in the election process (Belo and Alves
2018). Cambridge Anlytica has been the reason behind the data breaching process. This is one of
the major reason that processing of the data management of the users were performed in a proper
manner (Timblin 2018). The data analytics of the Cambridge Analytica are very well trained and
highly skilled.
What are the facts?
Fact 1: As per social media giants and Cambridge Analytica, the dispute regarding the
harvesting of personal data as well as data breaching, the companies have denied that they were
aware of this illegal tasks being performed by them.
Fact 2: Over 50 million Facebook user profiles were distorted and data was fetched from their
Facebook accounts (Brooker 2019). The process used in fetching data was performed in a chain
process.
Fact 3: Higher Authorities of Facebook claimed that Cambridge Analytica have lied regarding
the illegal approach in their functional process. They also stated that Cambridge Analytica have
violated the processing of data transaction that was created over the platform of Facebook.
Fact 4: Warrant has been launched in the facilitating of the Cambridge Analytica has been one
of the main aspect that has been responsible for data breaching of more than 50 million Facebook
user.
Who is affected?

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The personnel that got affected in the process are the common people. Common people
are the stakeholders that are affected in an adverse manner. The main aspect that is present in the
functional process includes the fact that the data of common people got leaked and exposed. This
affected the privacy and security of the entire process (Gabroveanu-Ghinea and Stan 2018). The
reason that affects the functional process of common people is that they have been convinced to
vote for a candidate whom they might not have chosen in case they were convinced in an illegal
manner.
Facebook has also been affected in a negative manner. The main concern that is taken
into consideration includes the fact that the good will of the brand was diminished. With
exposing of the security issue in the Facebook and lack of robustness in the framework has also
been one of the major reason that the usage of the Facebook is expected to decrease ion recent
time.
Ethical Issues and Implications
Ethical issues that are present in this process is that the data that are present in the data
base of Facebook is enhanced by the imposters. The personal data as well as the personal
messages are accessed and analysed for performing proper understanding of the individuals. This
is one of the major aspect that acts as a major drawback in case of ethical concern (Michaelsen
and Glasius 2018). After gathering the data regarding the wants and thought process of the
individuals convincing strategies are prepared and are let out in internet, which acts as a rat hole.
After the data of the individuals are gained Cambridge Analytica also tries to fetch the data of
their friends. This is one of the major aspect that provides better understanding of the thought
process of the global mass.

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What can be done?
The major concern in this process is to perform is the election process getting enhanced
and influenced due to the data breaching process. Influence in the election process has been
affecting the functional process and livelihood of the individuals. Hence changes in the election
resultant can be performed (Zhu and Keong 2018).
Another major issue that is present includes the fact that data breaching is performed and
the entire scenario of America gets affected, while political scenario of America getting affected
the most. Hence steps regarding the Facebook usage must be taken.
What are the election?
The options that are available are as follows: -
 Re-election process must be conducted. In this case the common people have been
influenced by external sources and resources regarding election process. This process is
practically not much feasible. The reason of lack of practicality in the process is because
the cost incurred in conduction of the election process is very high and hence the
management process will get affected in a negative manner (LANGWORTHY 2019). Re-
election of Trump might also happen and in that case the cost incurred in the conducting
of the re-election process will be a waste
 Usage of Facebook must be stopped. The main source of problem is due to the data
breaching from the platform of Facebook. For mitigating these kind of issues any further
preventing in using Facebook must be performed. This process is practical but
implementation of the step will be very difficult as Facebook has become one of the daily

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use for the common people and certainly stopping the use of the same without any proper
alternative will not be much feasible.
 Facebook must not allow the presence of the third party apps in the protocols of
Facebook. With the help of the omission of the presence of the third party apps data
breaching can be mitigated. This process is highly practical and can be performed if the
higher authorities of the Facebook gets more serious regarding the data breaching
process,.
 Stop clicking on apps that are present in Facebook. This entire massacre was caused due
to a third party application that is present in Facebook. This steps is the most practical
step that is included in the process. This process can be performed by staying conscious
and hence not clicking the third part apps that are present in the Facebook
Which Option is the best?
The options that will be best suited for mitigating the process includes Facebook getting
more serious regarding preventing the third party apps to explore the data of the users of the
Facebook.
Sustainability framework theory
As per the management of the sustainability framework the processing starts with the
functioning of defining the local system. This process will includes the stakeholders of the entire
process. Stakeholders present are the common people, Facebook high authorities and the
employees of the SLC business organization has been the major aspect of better understanding of
the sustainability framework theory. In the second stage sustainability theory achieving of the
system has been one of the major aspect has been provisioning of the accessing scenario. This is
one of the major aspect that indicators assesses the local system of the framework. Developing

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an assessment plan for the completion of the project will also be performed in a better manner.
The total sustainability scenario is mainly based on the processing of the cyclic arrangement of
the Sustainability framework of election process. After this process, facilitating of the well-being
of the common people will be stated in a better manner. Clarification regarding the processing of
the data management must be stated.
ICT Professional using Australian Code of Ethics
Ethical framework, theory and responsibilities
The ethical frameworks that must be taken into consideration are the Blanchard-Peale
framework. This is one of the most important ethical framework because of the simplicity of the
framework has been very high. The main concerns that are taken into consideration for this
process includes checking of the legality of the process, which was illegal in case of the usage of
the data breaching process as per the government laws (McKenna and Gray 2018). This is one of
the main aspect that will induce the fact that the data of the users are gained in an illegal manner
and hence the legality of the project is violated. This framework also checks whether the process
that is being performed is fair or not. In case of the data breaching of the Facebook users as for
influencing the election process is not considered to be fair. Empathising regarding the problem
is also one of the main aspect that makes this framework worth using (McLennan, Ryan and
Randall 2018). As per the understanding of the entire scenario I feel that the process has been
really unfair as the entire election process have been enhanced as per the management section.
Australian Code of Ethics
As per the usage of the Australian Code of Ethics all the aspects are violated in case of the
election of Donald Trump. The primacy of the public interest is also violated. As the entire

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process was performed against the good will of the global audience (Burmeister 2017).
Enhancement of the Quality of life is also effected as the main aspect that is taken into
consideration is that the elected president is not elected in a complete fair manner. Honesty of the
entire election process was not very high. Global audience was convinced and influenced in a
wrong manner.
Conclusion
Cambridge Analytica has been suffering from a scandal that is raised as per questions
regarding the technological aspect of USP regarding the company. The operational aspect of
Cambridge Analytica has closed and it has been acting as a mystery. Due to the increase in the
mystery in functioning of the Cambridge Analytica, election process gets hampered and hence
the ethical aspects are present in the election process.
Recommendation
Recommendations that are to be provided are as follows: -
 Re-election process must be conducted
 Usage of Facebook must be stopped
 Facebook must not allow the presence of the third party apps in the protocols of
Facebook
 Stop clicking on apps that are present in Facebook

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