Carole Cadwalladr: Facebook's role in Brexit -- and the threat to democracy

The transcript discusses the aftermath of the Brexit vote, focusing on Ebbw Vale, a town with high leave votes despite significant EU funding. It highlights the role of misinformation, particularly on Facebook, in shaping public opinion. The speaker criticizes the lack of transparency in online political campaigns and the legal issues surrounding electoral fraud. The global implications of technology on democracy are explored, with a call to action against unchecked tech power.

What was the surprising observation about Ebbw Vale after the Brexit vote?

• It had no EU-funded projects.

• It had significant EU-funded developments.

• It had no economic growth.

• It had a high number of immigrants.

What was the main reason people in Ebbw Vale voted to leave the EU?

• Lack of EU support.

• Desire to take back control.

• High immigration rates.

• Economic prosperity.

What was the challenge in researching the impact of Facebook ads during the Brexit referendum?

• Facebook's transparency.

• No archive of ads seen by users.

• Lack of data on ad spending.

• High cost of research.

What illegal activity was associated with the Vote Leave campaign?

• Overspending on ads.

• Blocking media access.

• Hiring foreign consultants.

• Manipulating vote counts.

How did Cambridge Analytica allegedly influence voters?

• By organizing public rallies.

• By using targeted Facebook ads.

• By offering financial incentives.

• By distributing free merchandise.

What was the relationship between Brexit and Trump's campaign?

• They were funded by the same government.

• They had different political goals.

• They used similar data and techniques.

• They were completely unrelated.

What is the speaker's main concern about the role of technology in elections?

• It enhances voter engagement.

• It disrupts traditional media.

• It undermines free and fair elections.

• It increases campaign costs.

What does the speaker suggest is necessary to protect democracy?

• Higher voter turnout.

• More public debates.

• Stricter control over tech companies.

• Increased funding for campaigns.

What historical analogy does the speaker use to describe Britain's situation?

• A ship lost at sea.

• A lighthouse in a storm.

• A fortress under siege.

• A canary in a coal mine.

What is the speaker's final call to action?

• To ignore the influence of tech companies.

• To take back control and fight for democracy.

• To rely on traditional media for information.

• To support more tech innovations.