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Faso explains his relationship with Cambridge Analytica

Apr 02, 2018 12:10 am
William J. Kemble reports in The Daily Freeman that Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) is not concerned about Cambridge Analytica using Facebook information for data-driven political advertising and marketing. “Obviously if someone were illegally using information it’s clearly wrong and it should be dealt with,” Faso said. “But I think what is really necessary is for us to recognize the use of what many consumers think is private information is actually broadly being used by commercial advertisers and other interests to influence purchasing decisions (and) influence political decisions.” OpenSecrets reports that a co-owner Cambridge Analytica, Robert Mercer, used $915,268 in contributions to defeat Faso primary challenger Andrew Heaney in 2016. This year, Mercer and his wife, Diana, have given $10,800 in direct contributions to Faso’s campaign this year for re-election. Former U.N. Ambassador John Bolton, has given $10,000 to the Faso's 2018 campaign, and Bolton also hired Cambridge Analytica in 2014 to conduct “pyschographic” profiling for conservative candidates who ultimately won based on alleged data obtained through Facebook profiles. Faso does not believe the Cambridge Analytica controversy will influence his re-election campaign this year. "No, I have many, many campaign contributors,” he said. Read the full story in The Daily Freeman.