Amid the ongoing scandal regarding Facebook’s part in the US 2016 elections, the social media giant has found itself in the middle of yet another controversy. A New York Times report brought to light how a voter profiling company, Cambridge Analytica, harvested more than 50 million Facebook profiles of American voters without their permission. This report resulted in not just harsh criticism from lawmakers in the United States and Britain, but users as well, sparking the #DeleteFacebook movement.
According to the report, Cambridge Analytica secured a $15 million investment to develop a tool that could identify the personalities of American voters and influence their behavior. Although these profiles were obtained without the consent of the users, the millions of Facebook profiles do not constitute a data breach as nobody hacked into Facebook. The data, surprisingly, was obtained legally because the business model of Facebook is predicated on mining the personal details of its two billion users.
A former employee at Cambridge Analytica, Christopher Wylie, who helped the company obtain user data said the company was built on harvesting user data. “We exploited Facebook to harvest millions of people’s profiles. And built models to exploit what we knew about them and target their inner demons,” he added. The data allowed Cambridge Analytica to exploit the social media activity of the American electorate and help the Trump campaign target advertisements.
Wylie reached out to Aleksandr Kogan, a Russian-American who developed a personality prediction app called “thisisyourdigitallife.” Kogan told Facebook that he was collecting the data for academic purposes. It should be noted that Facebook has the right to collect user information for research and other purposes as stated in their terms and conditions. Kogan’s app compiled personal information from people based on what they liked on Facebook. As per a report by The Guardian, Kogan, through his company Global Science Research, paid 270,000 people to download the app and take a personality test. Using the test, Cambridge Analytica was able to compile information not only from the users who took the test but from their friend’s profiles as well.
The problem lies in the fact that Facebook was aware that Cambridge Analytica had user data and they asked the company to delete it. While Cambridge Analytica and Kogan seemed to comply, the social networking company never followed up or confirmed the deletion of the data. Until last week, Facebook also allowed the voter profiling company to operate on its site.
The fallout from the scandal resulted in users walking away from the social networking site. Various celebrities also took to Twitter to express their views, including Jim Carrey, who tweeted Zuckerberg’s quote from 2004.
In addition to Cambridge Analytica’s involvement with the US 2016 election, the company has also been a part of the Brexit referendum and US Senator Ted Cruz’s primary run in 2016.
Finally, following days of silence, the Chief Executive Officer of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg responded to the criticism via a Facebook post. Apologizing for the mistake, Zuckerberg said, “We have a responsibility to protect your data, and if we can’t then we don’t deserve to serve you.”
Whistleblower Wylie was suspended from Facebook and Instagram following the controversy.
Facebook along with Cambridge Analytica is facing several lawsuits in Britain and United States of America. The Attorney General of Massachusetts, Maura Healey’s office will also be opening an investigation into the matter. Senator Mark Warner of Virginia and Representative Adam Schiff of California, the Congressional Democrats leading inquiries into Russian interference in the 2016 election have also called for investigations of the Facebook data leak.
Explore the ranked best online casinos of 2025. Compare bonuses, game selections, and trustworthiness of top platforms for secure and rewarding gameplaycasino.
where to buy clomiphene without dr prescription where can i buy clomiphene without dr prescription cost of cheap clomiphene without rx clomiphene tablet price where can i buy generic clomid without prescription cost of generic clomid for sale where to get clomid without prescription
Gramik, a Lucknow-based agritech startup, has secured INR 17 crore in a bridge funding round ahead of its upcoming INR 56 crore Series A raise.
The funding round included investments via Optionally Convertible Debentures (OCDs) and Compulsorily Convertible Debentures (CCDs).
Key investors include Sammaan Global Ventures, Money Creeper Investment, and prominent angels such as Balram Yadav (MD & CEO, Godrej Agrovet), Gev Aryaton, Irfan Alam, Nikhil Bhagat, and Salvia Siddiqui.
Gramik’s Unique Peer Commerce Model
Founded in 2021 by Raj Yadav, Gramik empowers over 120 million small and marginal farmers in India through a technology-driven rural commerce platform.
The startup operates a dual-channel distribution network using Village-Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and rural retailers to deliver high-quality agri-inputs to remote areas.
Gramik’s full-stack platform offers demand aggregation, logistics, embedded credit, and agronomy services, ensuring last-mile delivery and support for farmers.
Expansion Plans and Future Growth
Gramik currently operates in 12 districts, with 1,200+ active VLEs and 250+ rural retail partners, and plans to expand to 3,000 VLEs and reach 1 million+ farmers across Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Jammu.
The new funds will be used to expand Gramik’s private-label products, enhance agronomy-led farmer engagement, and scale operations in key states.
With a strong focus on supply chain efficiency, technology, and farmer advisory services, Gramik aims to become a leader in India’s $50 billion agri-input and rural commerce market.
Backed by previous seed funding of over INR 25 crore, Gramik is set to drive innovation and inclusive growth for rural communities.
Reliance Jio Platforms, the digital and telecom powerhouse led by Mukesh Ambani, has decided to postpone its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO), shelving plans for a 2025 listing. The IPO, which analysts valued at over $100 billion and expected to be India’s largest-ever stock market debut, will not take place this year. The company has yet to appoint bankers for the process, signaling that preparations for the public offering have not started in earnest.
According to sources close to the matter, Jio Platforms wants to give its business more time to grow before going public. The company is focusing on boosting revenues, expanding its telecom subscriber base, and scaling up its digital services—including apps, connected devices, and AI solutions—so it can achieve a higher valuation when the IPO eventually happens. Nearly 80% of Jio Platforms’ $17.6 billion annual revenue currently comes from its telecom business, Reliance Jio Infocomm, but the company is investing heavily in new digital ventures and partnerships, such as its collaboration with Nvidia on AI infrastructure.
The news of the delay impacted the market, with shares of parent company Reliance Industries falling by up to 1.8% following the announcement. Despite a strong IPO environment in India, Jio’s move is seen as a strategic decision to ensure stronger business fundamentals and a higher valuation before entering the public markets. Major investors, including Google and Meta, are said to support the decision, viewing it as a step toward long-term value creation.
Elon Musk’s Starlink has received the final regulatory green light to launch its satellite internet services in India, marking a major milestone for the country’s digital connectivity. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) granted Starlink the crucial approval, making it the third company after Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio to secure full regulatory clearance for satellite broadband in India.
What Does This Mean for India?
Starlink can now move forward with commercial satellite broadband operations, aiming to bring high-speed internet to both urban and remote regions where traditional connectivity is limited or unavailable.
The approval allows Starlink to operate its Gen1 satellite constellation over Indian territory, using a mix of Ka and Ku band frequencies for reliable internet access.
The license is valid until July 7, 2030, giving Starlink five years to establish and grow its presence in the Indian market.
What’s Next for Starlink?
Before launching services, Starlink must:
Acquire satellite spectrum from the Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
Set up ground infrastructure such as gateway stations across the country
Complete security and compliance trials as required by Indian authorities
If all goes according to plan, Starlink’s commercial rollout could begin by late 2025 or early 2026.
Pricing and Partnerships
Starlink kits are expected to cost around ₹33,000, with monthly subscription fees likely ranging from ₹3,000 to ₹4,200.
The hardware and services will be distributed through major telecom partners like Bharti Airtel and Reliance Jio, expanding Starlink’s reach across India36.
These rates are similar to those in neighboring countries where Starlink has already launched.
Why Is This Important?
Starlink’s entry is set to transform India’s internet landscape, especially for rural and underserved communities.
The move supports India’s broader goal of expanding digital access and bridging the connectivity gap across diverse regions.
In Summary
With this final approval, Starlink is poised to revolutionize satellite internet in India, offering new options for millions of users and supporting the country’s digital future. The next steps involve spectrum allocation, infrastructure setup, and regulatory compliance—after which Starlink aims to go live, potentially as soon as the end of 2025.
Bqomasmv
May 24, 2025 at 5:38 pm
Explore the ranked best online casinos of 2025. Compare bonuses, game selections, and trustworthiness of top platforms for secure and rewarding gameplaycasino.
p4j5g
June 6, 2025 at 7:21 am
where to buy clomiphene without dr prescription where can i buy clomiphene without dr prescription cost of cheap clomiphene without rx clomiphene tablet price where can i buy generic clomid without prescription cost of generic clomid for sale where to get clomid without prescription