This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/cambridge-analytica-facebook-alexander-nix-suspended-investigation-review-a8265731.html

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Cambridge Analytica suspends CEO amid Facebook data scandal Cambridge Analytica suspends CEO amid Facebook data scandal
(about 11 hours later)
Cambridge Analytica has suspended its chief executive amid claims the firm harvested personal data from up to 50 million Facebook users.Cambridge Analytica has suspended its chief executive amid claims the firm harvested personal data from up to 50 million Facebook users.
It comes after secret recordings captured Alexander Nix boasting about the company’s pivotal role in securing Donald Trump‘s election victory.It comes after secret recordings captured Alexander Nix boasting about the company’s pivotal role in securing Donald Trump‘s election victory.
In the recordings, captured by a Channel 4 journalist, Mr Nix claims his firm ran “all” the elements of the Trump campaign. In the recordings, Mr Nix claims his firm ran “all” the elements of the Trump campaign. He says: ”We did all the research, all the data, all the analytics, all the targeting, we ran all the digital campaign, the television campaign and our data informed all the strategy.”
He says: ”We did all the research, all the data, all the analytics, all the targeting, we ran all the digital campaign, the television campaign and our data informed all the strategy.” In a statement, the board of Cambridge Analytica said Mr Nix had been suspended "with immediate effect, pending a full, independent investigation".
In a statement, the board of Cambridge Analytica Mr Nix had been suspended "with immediate effect, pending a full, independent investigation".
It said comments by Mr Nix recorded in secret filming by Channel 4 News and "other allegations" did not represent "the values or operations of the firm" and that his suspension "reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation".It said comments by Mr Nix recorded in secret filming by Channel 4 News and "other allegations" did not represent "the values or operations of the firm" and that his suspension "reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation".
Mr Nix left the Cambridge Analytica building through a fire exit door at 6.30pm on Monday.Mr Nix left the Cambridge Analytica building through a fire exit door at 6.30pm on Monday.
In the footage, due to be broadcast on Tuesday night in the third part of Channel 4's investigation into the company, Mr Nix reveals how his team used a self-destructing email system which leaves no trace. In the footage, broadcast on Tuesday night in the third part of Channel 4's investigation into the company, Mr Nix reveals how his team used a self-destructing email system which leaves no trace.
He was recorded saying: "No-one knows we have it, and secondly we set our... emails with a self-destruct timer... So you send them and after they've been read, two hours later, they disappear.He was recorded saying: "No-one knows we have it, and secondly we set our... emails with a self-destruct timer... So you send them and after they've been read, two hours later, they disappear.
"There's no evidence, there's no paper trail, there's nothing.""There's no evidence, there's no paper trail, there's nothing."
Mr Nix was also recorded explaining how Cambridge Analytica sets up proxy organisations to feed untraceable messages on to social media.Mr Nix was also recorded explaining how Cambridge Analytica sets up proxy organisations to feed untraceable messages on to social media.
The Channel 4 programme said Mr Nix made the comments to a reporter posing as a wealthy potential client seeking to use Cambridge Analytica to influence campaigns in Sri Lanka. The Channel 4 programme said Mr Nix made the comments to a reporter posing as a wealthy potential client seeking to use Cambridge Analytica to influence campaigns in Sri Lanka. 
The firm is being investigated by British officials for its handling of Facebook users' personal data. The firm is being investigated by British officials for its handling of Facebook users' personal data. 
It has been accused of improperly using information from more than 50 million Facebook accounts. It denies wrongdoing. It has been accused of improperly using information from more than 50 million Facebook accounts. It denies wrongdoing. 
Earlier, the parliamentary committee investigating fake news announced that it was summoning Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to give evidence, accusing the company of giving "misleading" answers at a previous hearing on the issue.Earlier, the parliamentary committee investigating fake news announced that it was summoning Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg to give evidence, accusing the company of giving "misleading" answers at a previous hearing on the issue.
In its statement, the CA board said chief data officer Alexander Tayler had been appointed acting chief executive while an investigation was carried out by Julian Malins QC whose findings they would "share publicly in due course".In its statement, the CA board said chief data officer Alexander Tayler had been appointed acting chief executive while an investigation was carried out by Julian Malins QC whose findings they would "share publicly in due course".
"In the view of the board, Mr Nix's recent comments secretly recorded by Channel 4 and other allegations do not represent the values or operations of the firm and his suspension reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation," it said."In the view of the board, Mr Nix's recent comments secretly recorded by Channel 4 and other allegations do not represent the values or operations of the firm and his suspension reflects the seriousness with which we view this violation," it said.
"The board will be monitoring the situation closely, working closely with Dr Tayler, to ensure that Cambridge Analytica, in all of its operations, represents the firm's values and delivers the highest-quality service to its clients.""The board will be monitoring the situation closely, working closely with Dr Tayler, to ensure that Cambridge Analytica, in all of its operations, represents the firm's values and delivers the highest-quality service to its clients."
On Monday, Mr Nix told BBC's Newsnight the firm had been the victim of a "co-ordinated attack by the media" because of its involvement in Donald Trump's presidential election campaign.On Monday, Mr Nix told BBC's Newsnight the firm had been the victim of a "co-ordinated attack by the media" because of its involvement in Donald Trump's presidential election campaign.
He said he had spoken with "a certain amount of hyperbole" in his conversation with the undercover reporter.He said he had spoken with "a certain amount of hyperbole" in his conversation with the undercover reporter.
He added: "I have some regrets about the way that I have represented what the company does.He added: "I have some regrets about the way that I have represented what the company does.
"I certainly feel that the air of mystery and negativity that surrounds the work of Cambridge is misfounded and, as the CEO, I take responsibility for that.""I certainly feel that the air of mystery and negativity that surrounds the work of Cambridge is misfounded and, as the CEO, I take responsibility for that."