---
title: "SHOCKER: Cambridge Analytica Is Shutting Down. Lol."
description: "A month and a half after the Cambridge Analytica data scandal came to light, the UK-based company is finally closing its doors."
date: "2018-05-02"
modified: "2018-05-02"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/cambridge-analytica-shutting-down"
categories:
  - "Future Society"
tags:
  - "cambridge analytica"
  - "facebook"
  - "mark zuckerberg"
---

# SHOCKER: Cambridge Analytica Is Shutting Down. Lol.

![](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/cambridge.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: \<a href="https://www.gettyimages.ca/license/953884890" target="\_blank"\>Getty Images/Victor Tangermann\</a\>\</em\>*

Guys. Did you read the news today? Cambridge Analytica is [shutting down](<https://ca-commercial.com/news/cambridge-analytica-and-scl-elections-commence-insolvency-proceedings-and-release-results-3>).

Looks like an incoming flood tide of legal fees forced the company to shut its doors, effective immediately. Freaking Mark Zuckerberg, am I right?

We, at least, are SHOCKED. Appalled. Really. Could not be more surprised.

Quick refresher, if there's any chance you haven't heard of Cambridge Analytica: back in the [middle of March](<https://www.channel4.com/news/cambridge-analytica-revealed-trumps-election-consultants-filmed-saying-they-use-bribes-and-sex-workers-to-entrap-politicians-investigation>) the we learned that the company was granted permission to access Facebook user data, but took advantage of that, ultimately stealing information from [some 87 million](<https://www.wired.com/story/facebook-exposed-87-million-users-to-cambridge-analytica/>) Facebook users. They used the data to create detailed psychological profiles of users, which they sold in an effort to swing democratic elections, including the 2016 presidential election.

Other companies have suffered, of course. Mark Zuckerberg had to [lug his cogs](<https://futurism.com/mark-zuckerberg-facebook-congress-tweets-reactions>) to Washington to testify before Congress and is currently in the process of distracting the world with a [bunch of software updates](<https://futurism.com/facebook-dirt-help-find-love>), and hollow-sounding apologies.

Poor little Cambridge Analytica did the best it could to stay on course in this massive shitstorm. But its plans to launch an initial coin offering (ICO) for a cryptocurrency that allowed you to [sell your online data yourself](<https://www.engadget.com/2018/04/19/cambridge-analytica-jump-on-cryptocurrency-bandwagon/>)? Hopelessly dashed. Truly a travesty.

In truth, Cambridge Analytica didn't see much revenue rolling in since the 2016 election, [according to the *Wall Street Journal*](<https://www.wsj.com/articles/cambridge-analytica-closing-operations-following-facebook-data-controversy-1525284140>). Not a single U.S. federal political client since then. Do you think they got spooked by the backlash? Maybe no one is doing politics anymore? Honestly, if we could figure it out, we'd tell you.

Employees have reportedly been asked to return their computers and clean up their desks. To them, we have some advice: maybe erase "Cambridge Analytica" from your resume.

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)