Cambridge Analytica

Archive profile summary

Political data and consulting company backed by Robert Mercer and governed in part by figures including Steve Bannon and Rebekah Mercer, best known for data-driven political targeting and the later Facebook-data scandal.

Why this entry is in the archive

A data-targeting node connecting donor capital, campaign vendors and political communications.

Structure and funding

Federal Election Commission records describe Cambridge Analytica's ownership, Mercer financial backing and board relationships.

The company marketed behavioral and data-driven political targeting services to campaigns and political clients.

2016 political role

Cambridge Analytica became a major part of public debate over digital political targeting during the 2016 election cycle.

Its relationships with Mercer funding and Bannon's media/campaign roles made it a visible bridge between donor capital, data and political communications.

Facebook data controversy

The company later became internationally notorious after revelations that data associated with tens of millions of Facebook users had been obtained through an academic-app pathway and used in political-data operations without the kind of informed consent many users expected.

Evidence limits

The existence of sophisticated targeting does not prove that Cambridge Analytica determined an election outcome.

Claims about psychological manipulation should be separated from documented facts about data acquisition, contracts and campaign work.

Timeline

2013
Political data infrastructure scales
Cambridge Analytica is incorporated with Mercer backing; its board includes Rebekah Mercer and Steve Bannon.
Robert Mercer · Rebekah Mercer · Steve Bannon
2016
Media, data and campaign strategy converge
Cambridge Analytica becomes a Trump campaign vendor, while Bannon moves from Breitbart into the campaign leadership structure.
Steve Bannon · Donald Trump