In 2013, 23-year old CHRIS WYLIE, a Canadian data scientist who had worked on the Obama campaign, was recruited as head of research for SCL Ltd, a contractor developing military ‘information operations’ for the US and UK.
Within months he met Steve Bannon and Robert Mercer to set up Cambridge Analytica – a ‘propaganda machine’ designed to win the 2016 US Presidential elections, using Brexit as its ‘petri dish’. The tools of cyber warfare were now turned on the countries that developed them.
The podcast will explore the obvious (and still rapidly developing) story of Trump, Brexit and Russia – but also take a much longer considered look at the role of tech monopolies in modern democracy and digital surveillance.
It will also explore the overseas connections of Cambridge Analytica – especially in former British overseas territories and colonies and the staggering conclusion that the much vaunted Empire 2.0 model of Britain post Brexit is effectively a new Commonwealth of Crime.
WITH CAROLE CADWALLDR, JAMES PATRICK, KEN STRASMA, CAROLINE VRONK, PROFESSOR DAVID CARROLL, JUSTIN HENDRIX, TAMSIN SHAW AND OTHER KEY FIGURES AND WHISTLEBLOWERS. HOSTED BY PETER JUKES. PRODUCTION BY DEEIVYA MEIR