Cambridge Analytica used self
When you're in the self-described business of bribing politicians and influencing elections, it's perhaps best not to leave a digital paper trail.
Cambridge Analytica has that all figured out.
SEE ALSO:Cambridge Analytica CEO talks bribery and honeypots on hidden cameraAccording to a London Channel 4 investigation published today, the data analytics and electoral strategy firm that worked with the Trump presidential campaign used an encrypted email service to communicate with clients — and set email to self-delete after two hours.
So explained now-former Cambridge Analytica CEO Alexander Nix, who was caught on hidden camera telling a journalist posing as a potential client that his company uses an email client called ProtonMail to proactively delete potential evidence.
"I'd like you to set up a ProtonMail account, please," he instructed the would-be (fake) client, "because these are, now it's getting quite sensitive."
Nix later adds that "we set our ProtonMail emails with a self-destruct timer [...] so you send them, and after they've been read two hours later they disappear."
And why would anyone want emails to disappear? Nix has some thoughts on that as well.
"So then there's no evidence, there's no paper trail, there's nothing," he explained.
So how does that work exactly? It's actually pretty straightforward, albeit with some very important caveats.
When composing an email in ProtonMail, one just needs to click on the "expiration time" icon, represented by an hour glass, in the bottom left corner. From there, you can choose how long you want your emails to exist before they are automatically destroyed.
Destroyed.Credit: protonmailNotably, this timer starts the moment the email is sent — not after it is opened as Nix incorrectly states. You should also keep in mind that this feature only works this way for ProtonMail to ProtonMail exchanges. In other words, if you email your friend's Gmail account and set a message expiration time that email won't magically disappear from his or her inbox.
There's a trick around this, though, and we wouldn't be surprised if the folks at Cambridge Analytica were aware of it. ProtonMail gives you the option to send an encrypted message to someone with a non-ProtonMail account. To do so, write and address your email like you normally would, but before clicking "send" chose the "encryption" option represented by a lock icon (it's right next to the aforementioned hourglass).
Once you've selected it, ProtonMail will prompt you to create a password for the message. You'll need to communicate that password to the intended recipient — preferably not via email. Once you've set the password, and the expiration timer, send your email.
The recipient will receive a link to that encrypted message — with the auto-delete time specified. This way, the contents of the encrypted message won't live on Google's servers, and when ProtonMail eventually erases the message it's actually gone.
Two hours.Credit: protonmailIf Cambridge Analytica did indeed use ProtonMail's message expiration feature in all of its communications, then there might not be that much email evidence for investigators looking into the company's alleged misuse of Facebook data to discover.
Which is exactly the point. Too bad for Nix, he still left a video trail. If only there was an auto-delete feature for that.
Featured Video For You
Sorry, but you just can't erase yourself from the internet
(责任编辑:行业动态)
- Apple finally sends out payments for MacBook's butterfly keyboard settlement
- Rep. Kweon Seong
- N. Korea gets cold shoulder at ARF
- Steven Crowder suspended from YouTube for hate speech. The story he was pushing is fake.
- Essential Apps to Install on your Windows PC or Mac
- NCT member Taeil leaves band over sexual offense allegations
- Apple Watch Series 6 puts an emphasis on tracking blood oxygen levels.
- No details confirmed for Yoon
- Defense minister nominee, a former JCS vice chairman with expertise in S. Korea
- Smiley face on Mars is a telltale sign of its past
- Apple introduces subscription offer codes for apps
- Chinese envoy says S. Korea, China can overcome differences over THAAD
- 'My X? Y' memes are ridiculously simple and delightful
-
How much will PCB's Champions Cup mentors be paid?
ListentoarticleThe Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed five distinguished mentors for the upc ...[详细] -
Steven Crowder suspended from YouTube for hate speech. The story he was pushing is fake.
Conservative YouTuber Steven Crowder is once again waging war with YouTube.On Wednesday night, the i ...[详细] -
就业是最大的民生,技能培训则是推动就业的加速器。10月15日,在雅安市本级焊工高级技能人才培训技能鉴定考试现场,有40名参与培训的学员通过鉴定考试,圆满结业。他们当中,还有一部分人在现场就找到了工作。 ...[详细]
-
雅安日报/北纬网讯近日,芦山县国营大川河林场各管护点组织人员,分别在不同地点走街入户为群众发放森林防火、野生动植物保护的宣传资料,同时进行口头宣传教育。“自燃、易燃物品一定不能带进山。”管护站工作人员 ...[详细]
-
DNC 2024 speech: Barack Obama and Michelle Obama have a superpower no other Democrat has.
Every four years, Democrats meet for a convention and relearn that Michelle and Barack Obama are the ...[详细] -
US should slap more sanctions on Chinese banks: think tank
The United States should continue to slap sanctions on Chinese banks that support North Korea's nucl ...[详细] -
TikTok will reportedly sell to Oracle after Microsoft bid rejected
Oracle has beat out Microsoft to win the bid for TikTok's U.S. operations, according to a report by ...[详细] -
The #FreeBritney movement gains traction on TikTok
An online campaign is calling for the end of Britney Spears' conservatorship so the pop star can gai ...[详细] -
Best Labor Day mattress deals in 2024
Welcome in fall with a comfortable new mattress that'll help you get great sleep every night. Labor ...[详细] -
NXIVM: Keith Raniere’s cult’s Mexican connections.
Recently in The World The Day Most Important to Understanding the Israel ...[详细]
How much for Oasis tickets? Fans joke about splurging on reunion shows
US, China agree on toughest sanctions on North Korea
- Best smart home deals this week at Amazon
- Student using iOS 15's Live Text to steal class notes gets an A+ at life
- 绿茶搜索大涨300%,凤凰单丛受追捧!淘宝发布2024春茶消费趋势
- 科普链接:雅安动植物基因库之勺鸡
- Tesla considers adding a new ‘stuck detection' feature to Cybertruck. Here’s why.
- Student using iOS 15's Live Text to steal class notes gets an A+ at life
- China to stop importing North Korean natural resources, seafood