Before Denying Russia was Involved in the 2016 Election, Walters Paid $20k to Company Accused of Stealing Confidential Facebook Data
IRVINE – Congresswoman Mimi Walters said it’s “debatable” foreign powers were involved in the 2016 elections (something that even Congressman Dana Rohrabacher acknowledges). Mimi Walters has voted time and time and time again to weaken digital privacy protections. So raise your hand if you’re surprised that Mimi Walters was the only member of the House of Representatives to use embattled tech company Cambridge Analytica – a firm accused of illegally harvesting Facebook users’ personal information and data, including their Facebook message history – in her 2016 re-election? DCCC spokesperson Drew Godinich released the following statement:
“Congresswoman Mimi Walters built her campaign on the stolen data of millions of Americans while voting repeatedly to weaken digital privacy laws. Rather than apologize for using the potentially illegally obtained data to secure her own re-election, she has offered more excuses. Southern Californians have had enough of Mimi Walters’ excuses, and will vote her out this November.”
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Rep. Mimi Walters was the only House member who reported using Cambridge Analytica data in 2016 election
LA Times | March 21, 2018
Rep. Mimi Walters (R-Irvine) was the only House member who reported using Cambridge Analytica for voter data during the 2016 election cycle.
The firm, which has been facing a storm of scrutiny for using allegedly ill-gotten Facebook data on millions of the site’s users, also provided data for the campaigns of two Republican senators.
Walters’ campaign consultant, Dave Gilliard, said a $20,000 payment was made to Connell Donatelli Inc., an online advertising firm, which in turn paid the money to Cambridge Analytica. The payment was for “voter data for media ads,” according to Federal Election Commission records.
“They only provided issue preference data and not psychographic data,” Gilliard said, referring to the more in-depth profiles Cambridge Analytica claimed to be able to create by pumping the tastes and interests of millions of voters into algorithms in order to target them with tailor-made digital ads. Connell Donatelli has been told to stop using the firm’s data on projects for Walters’ campaign, Gilliard added.
Reports from the New York Times and the Observer of London have detailed how the company used troves of data to build “psychographic” profiles on voters during President Trump’s campaign, but the efficacy of its methods is unclear.
Just because Walters was the only House member to report paying Cambridge Analytica doesn’t necessarily mean hers was the only campaign to use the firm. FEC regulations do not require campaigns to report sub-vendor relationships in which a campaign vendor such as a consultant acts as a middleman to pay other vendors like media buyers or data firms.
Another California Republican running for Congress, former state Sen. Bob Huff, reported paying the firm more than $37,000 in 2016 during his run for the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. The San Jose Mercury News reported that Huff had already paid Cambridge Analytica a deposit of more than $10,000 for his current campaign in the 39th Congressional District, but has canceled the contract.
Walters, who represents inland Orange County including Irvine, is considered vulnerable in this year’s midterm election and has multiple Democratic opponents.
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BACKGROUND
2017: Walters Co-Sponsored A Resolution Nullifying The FCC’s Rule Protecting The Privacy Of Broadband Customers
2017: Walters Co-Sponsored A Resolution Providing For Congressional Disapproval Of An FCC Rule Protecting The Privacy Of Broadband Customers And Other Telecommunications Services.“This joint resolution nullifies the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission entitled ‘Protecting the Privacy of Customers of Broadband and Other Telecommunications Services.’ The rule published on December 2, 2016: (1) applies the customer privacy requirements of the Communications Act of 1934 to broadband Internet access service and other telecommunications services, (2) requires telecommunications carriers to inform customers about rights to opt in or opt out of the use or the sharing of their confidential information, (3) adopts data security and breach notification requirements, (4) prohibits broadband service offerings that are contingent on surrendering privacy rights, and (5) requires disclosures and affirmative consent when a broadband provider offers customers financial incentives in exchange for the provider’s right to use a customer’s confidential information.” [Library of Congress, H.J. Res. 86, 115th Congress, introduced3/8/17]
2017: Walters Voted To Allow Internet Providers To Sell Customers’ Information Without Obtaining Permission
2017: Walters Voted To Block A Bill To Reinstate FCC Rules Protecting The Privacy Of Broadband Customers.In May 2017, Walters voted for “Byrne, R-Ala., motion to order the previous question (thus ending debate and possibility of amendment) on the rule (H Res 299).” Upon defeat of the motion, Democrats planned to offer an, “amendment to the Rule, which would make in order Ms. Rosen of Nevada’s bill, H.R. 1868. H.R. 1868 would reinstate the Federal Communications Commission’s rules adopted on October 27, 2016 that protect the privacy of broadband customers.” A vote yes was a vote to block the Democratic amendment. The motion was agreed to by a vote of 233-190. [HR 1868 (HRes 299),Vote #240, 5/2/17; CQ,5/2/17]
2017: Walters Voted To Nullify A Rule Requiring Internet Providers To Obtain Permission From Customers Before Using Or Selling Their Sensitive Information. In March 2017, Walters voted for “passage of the joint resolution that would disapprove and nullify a Federal Communications Commission rule that requires broadband internet service providers to obtain affirmative permission from customers to use or share their sensitive information, such as web browsing history, geolocation information, content of communications and Social Security numbers; to take reasonable measures to secure customer information; and to notify customers, the commission and law enforcement when a data breach occurs that could result in harm.” The resolution passed (thus cleared for the president) by a vote of 215-205. A “yea” was a vote in support of the president’s position. [SJRes 34,Vote #202, 3/28/17; CQ,3/28/17]
Washington Post: ISPs “Will Be Able To Monitor Their Customers’ Behavior Online And, Without Their Permission, Use Their Personal And Financial Information To Sell Highly Targeted Ads.” “If Trump signs the legislation as expected, providers will be able to monitor their customers’ behavior online and, without their permission, use their personal and financial information to sell highly targeted ads — making them rivals to Google and Facebook in the $83 billion online advertising market. The providers could also sell their users’ information directly to marketers, financial firms and other companies that mine personal data — all of whom could use the data without consumers’ consent. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission, which initially drafted the protections, would be forbidden from issuing similar rules in the future.” [Washington Post,3/28/17]
Washington Post: The House Just Voted To Wipe Away The FCC’s Landmark Internet Privacy Protections.[Washington Post, 3/28/17]
2017: Walters Voted For Consideration Of Nullification Of A Rule Requiring Internet Providers To Obtain Permission From Customers Before Using Or Selling Their Information.In March 2017, Walters voted for “adoption of the rule (H Res 230) that would provide for House floor consideration of the joint resolution that would disapprove and nullify a Federal Communications Commission rule that requires broadband internet service providers to obtain affirmative permission from customers to use or share their sensitive information.” The rule was adopted by a vote of 231-189. [HRes 230,Vote #200, 3/28/17; CQ,3/28/17]
Net Neutrality
Walters Signed Onto Letter Supporting FCC Reversing Net Neutrality.“Of the 239 Republicans in the US House of Representatives, only 107 added their names to a letter released this morning supporting FCC Chairman Ajit Pai’s plan to repeal net neutrality rules. … The letter, which calls Pai’s plan a ‘major step forward in the effort to clear the way for the substantial investment necessary to advance our Internet architecture for the next generation,’ was co-authored by House Energy Committee Chairman Greg Walden and Technology and Communications subcommittee chair Rep. Marsha Blackburn. … Here’s a list of the lawmakers we know for sure signed the letter. … Confirmed signers: … Mimi Walters (CA-45)[.]” [Gizmodo,12/13/17]