Facebook's role in Brexit — and the threat to democracy | Carole Cadwalladr

In an unmissable talk, journalist Carole Cadwalladr digs into one of the most perplexing events in recent times: the UK's super-close 2016 vote to leave the European Union. Tracking the result to a barrage of misleading Facebook ads targeted at vulnerable Brexit swing voters -- and linking the same players and tactics to the 2016 US presidential election -- Cadwalladr calls out the "gods of Silicon Valley" for being on the wrong side of history and asks: Are free and fair elections a thing of the past? (NOTE: This video has been edited as a result of judgment in the Court of Appeal in England and Wales in a libel action by Arron Banks, the funder of the Leave.EU Brexit campaign, against Carole Cadwalladr. A judge found that the talk was lawful at the time of delivery, however due to a subsequent change in circumstances part of the talk was found to be unlawful in England and Wales and has therefore been removed.)

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[parameshsheela]

How many are here after watching the great hack on netflix !!!

[Copernicus]

Sadly it's easier to con people than to convince people that they have been conned.

[Buildings]

"its not about left or right, leave or remain, trump or none. its about whether its possible have a free and fair election ever again. because as it stands i don't think it is."

[bparisfreedomranger]

Political add should be banned from social media

[ericrossoni]

I came here after watching The Great Hack on Netflix. This is exactly why I left Facebook and deleted it forever.

[jasminejade]

It's official. We're living in a Black Mirror episode.

[moonmunster]

Get off Facebook. Boycott it. I did after I heard about the Cambridge Analyitica deeds. The best thing I ever did. Make Mark Zuckerberg a pauper.

[switchmuso]

Scary to rewatch this after The Storming Of The Capitol. Shivers.

[rocky]

I got off of Facebook!! it is some sense of freedom. Just don't need it. and the benefits of one more saying no to Facebook is a reward in itself.

[Rob-bisk]

Just seen the news. Carole won her libel trial against against Brexit banker Banks. She's a legend and will hopefully now get some awards. In fact, give her all of the awards. 😁

[ankontini]

The real question is why are people so easily influenced by ads. Why do we lack the ability to debunk false info and use our own mind? Why do we lack sound judgment? Controlling ads is not the answer. Developing our critical and analytical thinking is.

[theresechan]

"We did it anyway."

What a powerful sentence

[anuraganand]

just came here after watching the great hack on netflix. its truly scary

[douglascoe]

The greater problem is that too many of the rich and powerful don't really believe democracy is necessary or even that useful to them. And they are largely correct. They have enough money and influence that democracy oftentimes is more a hindrance than an aid to them.

[tomato]

Why don’t we make laws that hold social media platform executives criminally responsible for misinformation and political overspending?

[emmyeaster]

Why doesn't this have more views?! It is such an important topic!

[pattersonpi]

very strange, facebook that owns peoples privacy, break every privvacy of the ' common man'
protect heavely the privacy of the powerfull
i have no facebook, never had, never will
everyone, and i mean everyone, please shut down your account, thanks P

[martifingers]

So it turns out that Carole Cadwalladr is not only brave, bright, humane and a superb journalist. She is also an orator of the first rank. We are so lucky to have her.

[mariofialho]

THE MOST IMPORTANT TED TALK I HAVE EVER SEEN - TO THE POINT OF OUR AGE

[ThePmloc]

I came back to listen to this brave and knowledgeable lady once more after her court victory. Keep up the good work Carole you are on the right side of history.