Cambridge Analytica, Now and Forever
Join our exclusive screening, plus more things to read, watch and do
Dear Citizens,
Ten years after Cambridge Analytica, the fight over Big Tech and accountability is far from over.
Meta is still trying to draw a line under Cambridge Analytica. As Jason Kint points out, its latest settlement includes $459m in exchange for states releasing Meta from Cambridge Analytica-related claims - even if new information comes to light.
So, on Monday, we’re going back to where it all began.
Join us live on Monday, 28 September, 18:00, where we’ll livestream an exclusive screening of the Pink Hair Data Whistleblower, featuring Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie, followed by a live conversation with our very own Carole Cadwalladr, filmmaker Marc Silver and Clive Lewis MP, chaired by The Citizens’ Rebecca Vincent.
👉 Register here to receive the film in advance and join the livestream: https://tally.so/r/dWr2Er
Or, if you’re in Liverpool, join us in person at FACT, doors are at 17.45 GMT - and there will be drinks 😉
Here’s what else to read, watch and do.
🐴 ONE READ: The Two Horsemen 🐴
We love Bill McKibben, who has been a climate champion for decades. Over at his newsletter this week, The Two Horsemen Riding in Formation connects two crises that are too often treated separately: the reckless AI race and a rapidly warming planet. The bridge between them? Data centers. Their appetite for electricity is giving the fossil-fuel industry a new excuse to build gas plants just as the world needs to move away from them.
McKibben argues that the backlash over water, noise, land and higher energy costs is also a rebellion against concentrated power. His hopeful point is that this resistance is working: public pressure has created an opening to slow the AI race, regulate it and invest in clean energy instead. The two crises share a cause, and the movements confronting them may share a path forward. It’s an important read, here.
👉 Bonus read: Hack 👏 the 👏 FBI 👏 !? It’s on!
📺 ONE WATCH: El to Pay 📺
AI, for better or worse, is always getting smarter. Where, and what, though is the scientific evidence that takes us from “recursive self-improvement” to “the end of humanity?” El does the research… this is a must watch:
👁️🗨️ ONE ACTION: People vs Palantir 👁️🗨️
On Thursday 1 October, we’re joining the People vs Palantir England day of action ✊
With Palantir’s controversial NHS contract up for renewal, patients, health workers and activists will come together at over 15 protests across England to call on the government to use the break clause and get Palantir out of the NHS.
The decision is expected within weeks, and the action is part of a wider international week of protest against Palantir.
✊ Bonus action: Can we live well with machines? On 14 November, volunteers across the US will give the same short presentation exploring what AI is, what’s at stake and what people can do about it.
AI Reality Check is designed to bring those conversations into living rooms, libraries, union halls, congregations and community spaces. You don’t need a huge audience either - a dozen neighbours counts as an event.
👉 Sign up to be a presenter on November 14; global participation welcome.
That’s all for this week,
Team Citizens
*PS - Join our Signal Chat if you haven’t already! 400+ people share practical advice on protecting your data, organising against Big Tech and staying ahead of what you need to know.
