Are Your Articles Research Articles? Feb 4

Cambridge Analytica Scandal

Student’s name

Professor’s name

Course title

Institution

Date

Cambridge Analytica Scandal

Issue/Problem 1: Lack of data privacy in digital media

The Cambridge Analytica data scandal entailed the collection of data from millions of users on Facebook. Cambridge Analytica was a consulting firm that was responsible for the usage of the information for political purposes. It harvested data without consent and utilized the information for political advertising.

1) People Impacted: Users of different forms of social media such as Facebook.

2) Link to Article: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/17/the-cambridge-analytica-scandal-changed-the-world-but-it-didnt-change-facebook

3) My Research Question:

What is the security measures' impact on information safety across accounts of social media users?

There was a response from the CEO of Facebook following the scandal. There were also efforts to enhance the security of users' information. The significance of the research question is established in examining the impact of security measures that were put in place following the role that the scandal played. There have been security measures which have been put in place including use of encryption and more importantly the prevention of access and usage of social media users’ information by third parties. There are substantial improvements but it is still necessary to gauge how security has been impacted.

Issue/Problem 2: The effect of the Facebook data breach

The scandal affected up to 87 million Facebook users. Private information was exposed to the public. The scandal's implications are not only established on the use of Facebook but also on other digital platforms with private data accounts.

1) People Impacted: Social media users

2) Link to Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/us/politics/cambridge-analytica-scandal-fallout.html

3) My Research Question:

What have researchers learned about the impact of data insecurity on the utilization of digital platforms?

There are millions of internet users across social media pages and on different e-commerce platforms. Their perception of the security of their private information factors in their usage of the platforms. The focus is on examining how insecurities like the Cambridge Analytica scandal influence the usage of digital platforms. The significance of the research question extends to examination of the role that the intrusions play in altering the usage of social media websites. It is important to look at how security issues influence the propensity of individuals to be part of social media fraternity. The threat to personal information raises uncertainty in usage of social media and it is thus vital to examine if there is a shift in engagement across the platforms.

References

Confessore, N. (2018). Cambridge Analytica and Facebook: The Scandal and the Fallout So Far. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/04/04/us/politics/cambridge-analytica-scandal-fallout.html

Wong, J. C. (2019). The Cambridge Analytica scandal changed the world – but it didn't change Facebook. https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/mar/17/the-cambridge-analytica-scandal-changed-the-world-but-it-didnt-change-facebook