Twitter’s former head of security, Peiter Zatko, has accused his former employer of cybersecurity negligence in an explosive whistleblower complaint.

Tech Talk: Twitter's former security chief Peiter Zatko turns whistleblower

On Sunday, for the second time in a month, an Indian commercial aircraft developed technical snags and was forced to emergency land in the neighbouring country of Pakistan.

On Sunday, for the second time in a month, an Indian commercial aircraft developed technical snags and was forced to emergency land in the neighbouring country of Pakistan. This time it was IndiGo's Sharjah-Hyderbad flight 6E-1406. No sooner did Indigo's plane land in Karachi than questions began to be asked regarding the safety of passengers. After all, the recent slew of aircraft developing technical defects had kept passengers on their toes. Reportedly, IndiGo's maintenance crew has gone the whistleblower route and has exposed the low-cost carrier for a lackadaisical attitude towards the safety of the aircraft. In a letter to aircraft manufacturer Airbus, IndiGo's technicians claimed that their employer was not following standard maintenance procedures. The letter also revealed the names of a few high-ranking officials of IndiGo who are allegedly responsible for the mismanagement. Read More: Another Indian plane makes emergency landing in Karachi, passengers aboard IndiGo fight safe "The operators to whom you have leased your aircraft are not following standard procedure of maintenance. From the past four days technical staff are on strike and still they are flying the aircraft without proper maintenance and even they are deferring the scheduled maintenance" the letter read. It further requested Airbus to intervene in the matter. “I request you to kindly intervene in this matter and ask the operators to share maintenance data of the past seven days." Read More: Three international airlines make an emergency landing in India while another Indian aircraft lands in Karachi After the pressure piled on, IndiGo came out with a statement and iterated that it followed the highest standards of aircraft maintenance. “IndiGo follows the highest standards of aircraft maintenance and adheres to all regulatory norms. Such allegations are completely baseless and are being spread with malicious intent," the company said. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

IndiGo whistleblowers claim airline not following standard procedure of maintenance

In an interview with Germany's Der Spiegel that was published on Saturday, the source of the "Panama Papers," which exposed widespread tax evasion and fraud of significant proportions, expressed his fear of Russian retaliation. He claimed to have proof of financial malfeasance by high Russian officials and their friends that helped finance the war in Ukraine, and the magazine cited him using the moniker John Doe. When Spiegel questioned him if he was concerned for his safety, he responded, "It's a risk that I live with, given that the Russian government has expressed the fact that it wants me dead."

When John Doe was questioned by Spiegel regarding the use of tax havens by "strongmen in autocratic regimes," he mentioned the purported function they perform in Russia, where authorities deny breaking the law. "Putin is more of a threat to the United States than Hitler ever was, and shell companies are his best friend," he said of the Russian president.

As Putin's rockets hit shopping malls, shell firms are supporting the Russian military and killing innocent civilians in Ukraine.&nbsp;&nbsp;He claimed that unnamed corporations.&nbsp;By removing responsibility from society, we open the door to these horrors and more. But society cannot run without accountability.&nbsp;&nbsp;He said that a "John Doe" figure "who suffered a torture-induced head injury during the opening credits" had appeared in a two-part Panama Papers documentary that had been shown on the Russian state-funded channel RT. It wasn't subtle, he declared, no matter how absurd and ugly it was. As with the tragedies surrounding Daphne Caruana Galizia and Jan Kuciak, two investigative journalists assassinated in Malta and Slovakia, we have seen others with connections to offshore accounts and tax justice turn to murder.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/breaking-who-declares-monkeypox-a-global-health-emergency-500076">Monkeypox declared a global health emergency by WHO amid surge in cases</a>

John Doe stated he has no plans to step out from under the obscurity of the Panama Papers in what was billed as his first interview since their publication in 2016. It's impossible to conceive how it might ever be safe to identify myself given how many various international criminal organisations are mentioned in the Panama Papers, some of which have connections to governments, he said. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists released a number of financial document breaches, including The Panama Papers (ICIJ). Their admissions led to the resignation of Iceland's prime minister and the overthrow of Pakistan's president.

(with inputs from agencies)

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In an interview with Germany's Der Spiegel that was published on Saturday, the source of the "Panama Papers," which exposed widespread tax evasion and fraud of significant proportions, expressed his fear of Russian retaliation.

In an interview with Germany's Der Spiegel that was published on Saturday, the source of the "Panama Papers," which exposed widespread tax evasion and fraud of significant proportions, expressed his fear of Russian retaliation. He claimed to have proof of financial malfeasance by high Russian officials and their friends that helped finance the war in Ukraine, and the magazine cited him using the moniker John Doe. When Spiegel questioned him if he was concerned for his safety, he responded, "It's a risk that I live with, given that the Russian government has expressed the fact that it wants me dead." When John Doe was questioned by Spiegel regarding the use of tax havens by "strongmen in autocratic regimes," he mentioned the purported function they perform in Russia, where authorities deny breaking the law. "Putin is more of a threat to the United States than Hitler ever was, and shell companies are his best friend," he said of the Russian president. As Putin's rockets hit shopping malls, shell firms are supporting the Russian military and killing innocent civilians in Ukraine. He claimed that unnamed corporations. By removing responsibility from society, we open the door to these horrors and more. But society cannot run without accountability. He said that a "John Doe" figure "who suffered a torture-induced head injury during the opening credits" had appeared in a two-part Panama Papers documentary that had been shown on the Russian state-funded channel RT. It wasn't subtle, he declared, no matter how absurd and ugly it was. As with the tragedies surrounding Daphne Caruana Galizia and Jan Kuciak, two investigative journalists assassinated in Malta and Slovakia, we have seen others with connections to offshore accounts and tax justice turn to murder. Also Read: Monkeypox declared a global health emergency by WHO amid surge in cases John Doe stated he has no plans to step out from under the obscurity of the Panama Papers in what was billed as his first interview since their publication in 2016. It's impossible to conceive how it might ever be safe to identify myself given how many various international criminal organisations are mentioned in the Panama Papers, some of which have connections to governments, he said. The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists released a number of financial document breaches, including The Panama Papers (ICIJ). Their admissions led to the resignation of Iceland's prime minister and the overthrow of Pakistan's president. (with inputs from agencies)

Whistleblower of 'Panama Papers' claims that Russia wants him 'dead'

An ex-employee of Facebook has made an explosive revelation: Staff members at the social media network have access to users' erased data. As per PetaPixel, the whistleblower claims that he was fired for raising concerns about a new company protocol that allows staff to not only access deleted user data but also share it with law enforcement. Brennan Lawson, who formerly worked as Meta's content screener, a role similar to a Facebook Content Moderator claims that the protocol has been there for three years.&nbsp;Lawson alleges that he was made aware of the new protocol during a staff meeting in late 2018 and that he became concerned about its legality.

Watch |&nbsp;Facebook parent Meta slashes hiring plans for new engineers by 30 per cent

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He further claims that upon questioning the legal standing of the said protocol he was fired and consequently spent 18 months unemployed. In addition to more than $3 million in compensation, he's seeking punitive damages from Facebook and its parent company Meta.

As per an NYPost report, Lawson also made mentioned Facebook content moderators being able to access deleted data and messages from the platform's Messenger application.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twitters-massive-layoff-leaves-30-without-a-job-495497">Twitter's massive layoff leaves 30% without a job!</a>

Bloomberg reports that in his complaint,&nbsp;he further mentions that “Law enforcement would ask questions about the suspect’s use of the platform, such as who the suspect was messaging, when messages were sent, and even what those messages contained.”&nbsp;

Lawson claims that to keep Facebook in the good graces of the government, "the Escalations Team would utilise the back-end protocol to provide answers for the law enforcement agency and then determine how much to share."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/meta-shares-sink-22-as-facebook-loses-one-million-daily-users-450000">Meta shares sink 22% as Facebook loses one million daily users</a>

According to the complaint, the protocol appeared to go against both a Federal Trade Commission ruling requiring Facebook to provide users with proper information about its data retention policy and European Union digital privacy laws.

Meta's official statement stated, "These claims are without merit," and that the company will "defend ourselves against them vigorously."

(With inputs from agencies)

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An ex-employee of Facebook has made an explosive revelation: Staff members at the social media network have access to users' erased data. As per PetaPixel, the whistleblower claims that he was fired for raising concerns about a new company protocol that allows staff to not only access deleted user data but also share it with law enforcement.

An ex-employee of Facebook has made an explosive revelation: Staff members at the social media network have access to users' erased data. As per PetaPixel, the whistleblower claims that he was fired for raising concerns about a new company protocol that allows staff to not only access deleted user data but also share it with law enforcement. Brennan Lawson, who formerly worked as Meta's content screener, a role similar to a Facebook Content Moderator claims that the protocol has been there for three years. Lawson alleges that he was made aware of the new protocol during a staff meeting in late 2018 and that he became concerned about its legality. Watch | Facebook parent Meta slashes hiring plans for new engineers by 30 per cent He further claims that upon questioning the legal standing of the said protocol he was fired and consequently spent 18 months unemployed. In addition to more than $3 million in compensation, he's seeking punitive damages from Facebook and its parent company Meta. As per an NYPost report, Lawson also made mentioned Facebook content moderators being able to access deleted data and messages from the platform's Messenger application. Also read | Twitter's massive layoff leaves 30% without a job! Bloomberg reports that in his complaint, he further mentions that “Law enforcement would ask questions about the suspect’s use of the platform, such as who the suspect was messaging, when messages were sent, and even what those messages contained.” Lawson claims that to keep Facebook in the good graces of the government, "the Escalations Team would utilise the back-end protocol to provide answers for the law enforcement agency and then determine how much to share." Also read | Meta shares sink 22% as Facebook loses one million daily users According to the complaint, the protocol appeared to go against both a Federal Trade Commission ruling requiring Facebook to provide users with proper information about its data retention policy and European Union digital privacy laws. Meta's official statement stated, "These claims are without merit," and that the company will "defend ourselves against them vigorously." (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Meta ex-employee makes explosive revelation, Facebook can read your messages even after deletion

Alexa whistleblower Tang Mingfang has revealed that he was tortured before being jailed by Chinese authorities. This comes after Tang exposed the illegal working conditions in a factory where Amazon's Alexa devices were made.&nbsp;

Describing the condition&nbsp;he said that he was beaten by his interrogators, handcuffed in stress positions until he agreed to sign a confession. “I refused to sign seven times, and they got angry and handcuffed me to the bottom of the iron frame, unable to stand, squat, sit; only bending, half squatting all night. In the early morning, I could not stand anymore,” he said.

Tang revealed that the Hengyang based factory used schoolchildren and made them work for illegally long hours to manufacture Amazon’s popular products including Echo, Echo Dot and Kindle devices.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/god-told-me-to-go-us-man-charged-with-threatening-to-harm-president-joe-biden-448875">Also read |&nbsp;'God told me to go...': US man charged with threatening to harm President Joe Biden</a>

Tang has claimed that his father died while he was in prison and he would have wanted him to speak up when he saw the abuse of young workers. In a report by The Observer, he said, "My father always taught me that I should be a good person and, because I followed my heart and believed that justice should be served, I reported the serious violations at Hengyang Foxconn. Yet my imprisonment has caused such great harm to me and my family."

After spending two years in prison, he is now appealing to the higher courts to clear his name.&nbsp;

Tang has decided to talk publicly even after being aware of the risks as he believes that Amazon and its founder, Jeff Bezos, have a responsibility to support his appeal.&nbsp;

Amazon spokesperson, while speaking to the Observer said, “We do not tolerate violations of our supply chain standards. We regularly assess suppliers, using independent auditors as appropriate, to monitor continued compliance and improvement – if we find violations, we take appropriate steps, including requesting immediate corrective action.”

(With inputs from agencies)

Alexa whistleblower Tang Mingfang has revealed that he was tortured before being jailed by Chinese authorities. This comes after Tang exposed the illegal working conditions in a factory where Amazon's Alexa devices were made.

Alexa whistleblower Tang Mingfang has revealed that he was tortured before being jailed by Chinese authorities. This comes after Tang exposed the illegal working conditions in a factory where Amazon's Alexa devices were made. Describing the condition he said that he was beaten by his interrogators, handcuffed in stress positions until he agreed to sign a confession. “I refused to sign seven times, and they got angry and handcuffed me to the bottom of the iron frame, unable to stand, squat, sit; only bending, half squatting all night. In the early morning, I could not stand anymore,” he said. Tang revealed that the Hengyang based factory used schoolchildren and made them work for illegally long hours to manufacture Amazon’s popular products including Echo, Echo Dot and Kindle devices. Also read | 'God told me to go...': US man charged with threatening to harm President Joe Biden Tang has claimed that his father died while he was in prison and he would have wanted him to speak up when he saw the abuse of young workers. In a report by The Observer, he said, "My father always taught me that I should be a good person and, because I followed my heart and believed that justice should be served, I reported the serious violations at Hengyang Foxconn. Yet my imprisonment has caused such great harm to me and my family." After spending two years in prison, he is now appealing to the higher courts to clear his name. Tang has decided to talk publicly even after being aware of the risks as he believes that Amazon and its founder, Jeff Bezos, have a responsibility to support his appeal. Amazon spokesperson, while speaking to the Observer said, “We do not tolerate violations of our supply chain standards. We regularly assess suppliers, using independent auditors as appropriate, to monitor continued compliance and improvement – if we find violations, we take appropriate steps, including requesting immediate corrective action.” (With inputs from agencies)

Beaten and handcuffed: Alexa whistleblower talks publicly despite knowing the risks

If a whistleblower is to be believed, numerous Afghans were unable to get the UK’s help after Taliban took over Kabul due to sorry state of affairs at the foreign office. &nbsp;

As per the whistleblower's account, there was immense turmoil and confusion in the foreign office. &nbsp;

Raphael Marshall, a former diplomat, has said that lack of planning, ministerial intervention, bureaucratic chaos and a short-hours culture in the department resulted in “people being left to die at the hands of the Taliban”. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-airways-to-become-first-airline-to-use-sustainable-fuel-produced-in-uk-434743" hreflang="en">British Airways to become first airline to use sustainable fuel produced in UK</a>

After Marshall presented his account to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) permanent secretary Sir Phillip Barton at August end, an internal inquiry was launched into allegations. &nbsp;

Whistleblower’s evidence and the launch of internal inquiry may have led to the then foreign secretary Dominic Raab to get shifted to a new cabinet role. &nbsp;

Oxford graduate with three years in diplomatic service, Marshall volunteered to work on the FCDO’s special cases team during Afghan crisis in August. Marshall has now quit the department. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sms-crime-scorecards-passport-seizure-uk-takes-strong-stand-against-drug-use-434604" hreflang="en">SMS, crime scorecards, passport seizure - UK takes strong stand against drug use</a>

In testimony to the foreign affairs select committee published on Tuesday, Marshall disclosed the chaos he saw at the department. &nbsp;

Raab showed a misunderstanding of the situation at Kabul airport by delaying many emergency evacuation referrals, Marshall claimed. &nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

If a whistleblower is to be believed, numerous Afghans were unable to get the UK’s help after Taliban took over Kabul due to sorry state of affairs at the foreign office.

If a whistleblower is to be believed, numerous Afghans were unable to get the UK’s help after Taliban took over Kabul due to sorry state of affairs at the foreign office. As per the whistleblower's account, there was immense turmoil and confusion in the foreign office. Raphael Marshall, a former diplomat, has said that lack of planning, ministerial intervention, bureaucratic chaos and a short-hours culture in the department resulted in “people being left to die at the hands of the Taliban”. Also Read: British Airways to become first airline to use sustainable fuel produced in UK After Marshall presented his account to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) permanent secretary Sir Phillip Barton at August end, an internal inquiry was launched into allegations. Whistleblower’s evidence and the launch of internal inquiry may have led to the then foreign secretary Dominic Raab to get shifted to a new cabinet role. Oxford graduate with three years in diplomatic service, Marshall volunteered to work on the FCDO’s special cases team during Afghan crisis in August. Marshall has now quit the department. Also Read: SMS, crime scorecards, passport seizure - UK takes strong stand against drug use In testimony to the foreign affairs select committee published on Tuesday, Marshall disclosed the chaos he saw at the department. Raab showed a misunderstanding of the situation at Kabul airport by delaying many emergency evacuation referrals, Marshall claimed. (With inputs from agencies)

Afghan evacuation: Whistleblower’s devastating account slams UK’s foreign office

Elon Musk's recent tweet is being perceived as an attempt at joke the billionaire appears to crack at whistleblowers. He has posted picture of a Tesla whistle and in an attempt to promote the Tesla-branded merchandise, has asked his Twitter followers to 'Blow the whistle on Tesla'.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Blow the whistle on Tesla!<a href="https://t.co/c86hLA0iQK">https://t.co/c86hLA0iQK</a>
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1465838829370228737?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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When the link is clicked, the resultant webpage does not show any link to buy the USD 50&nbsp;whistle.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-is-elon-musk-selling-whistles-433365/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

In his next tweet, Musk says "Don't waste your money on that silly Apple Cloth, buy our whistle instead!"

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Don’t waste your money on that silly Apple Cloth, buy our whistle instead!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1465842137392680963?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This is a reference to Apple's microfiber polishing cloth that costs USD 19. The cloth has already gone on sale in some markets.

Elon Musk is known for his witty tweets which are at time sarcastic and poke fun at something. But how this new tweet should be interpreted is something that is being thought especially considering whistleblowers who have drawn attention to alleged toxic work culture and racist abuse and even sexual harassment at Tesla.

Tesla has even faced lawsuits over these issues.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/elon-musk-takes-a-dig-at-parag-agrawal-shares-a-photoshopped-image-comparing-him-with-joseph-stalin-433508" hreflang="en">Elon Musk takes a dig at Parag Agrawal, shares a photoshopped image comparing him with Joseph Stalin</a>

A female worker sued Tesla last month over sexual harassment she said she faced in company's California factory.

In the month of October this year. Tesla was ordered to pay USD 137 million to Owen Diaz an African-American employee who faced racist behaviour.

The whistle Musk tweeted about is being called Cyberwhistle and it has been modelled on Cybertruck, pick-up truck manufactured by Tesla.

Elon Musk's recent tweet is being perceived as an attempt at joke the billionaire appears to crack at whistleblowers. He has posted picture of a Tesla whistle and in an attempt to promote the Tesla-branded merchandise, has asked his Twitter followers to 'Blow the whistle on Tesla'.

Elon Musk's recent tweet is being perceived as an attempt at joke the billionaire appears to crack at whistleblowers. He has posted picture of a Tesla whistle and in an attempt to promote the Tesla-branded merchandise, has asked his Twitter followers to 'Blow the whistle on Tesla'. Blow the whistle on Tesla!https://t.co/c86hLA0iQK — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 1, 2021 × When the link is clicked, the resultant webpage does not show any link to buy the USD 50 whistle. In his next tweet, Musk says "Don't waste your money on that silly Apple Cloth, buy our whistle instead!" Don’t waste your money on that silly Apple Cloth, buy our whistle instead! — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) December 1, 2021 × This is a reference to Apple's microfiber polishing cloth that costs USD 19. The cloth has already gone on sale in some markets. Elon Musk is known for his witty tweets which are at time sarcastic and poke fun at something. But how this new tweet should be interpreted is something that is being thought especially considering whistleblowers who have drawn attention to alleged toxic work culture and racist abuse and even sexual harassment at Tesla. Tesla has even faced lawsuits over these issues. Also read | Elon Musk takes a dig at Parag Agrawal, shares a photoshopped image comparing him with Joseph Stalin A female worker sued Tesla last month over sexual harassment she said she faced in company's California factory. In the month of October this year. Tesla was ordered to pay USD 137 million to Owen Diaz an African-American employee who faced racist behaviour. The whistle Musk tweeted about is being called Cyberwhistle and it has been modelled on Cybertruck, pick-up truck manufactured by Tesla.

Elon Musk's tweet on Tesla whistle gets associated with whistleblowers

Prosecutors in Russia on Wednesday dismissed a case against a jail-torture whistleblower. The former prison inmate had leaked videos of torture inside Russian jail. He is now seeking asylum in France.

Last month, the Gulagu.net NGO published footage of abuse at a prison in the central city of Saratov. The videos were leaked by Sergei Savelyev -- a Belarus national who had served time there for drug trafficking.&nbsp;

Savelyev has since fled Russia and asked for asylum in France. He was charged with "illegal access to computer information". A court ordered him arrested in absentia.

According to a document published on Wednesday by Gulagu.net, the prosecutor for the Saratov region ordered that the charges be dropped due to their "illegality and groundlessness".

Savelyev was also removed from the interior ministry's wanted list, the Interfax news agency reported.

Earlier on Wednesday, the head of the prison service in the Saratov region, Anton Yefarkin, said 18 officials had been fired and 11 had faced "the strictest" disciplinary measures.

Five criminal cases have been opened in connection with the videos, he said.

"We are doing everything to work things out and draw the appropriate conclusions," Yefarkin told regional state television.

"I am sure that in the future this will not repeat itself," he said.&nbsp;

During his prison term, Savelyev worked as an IT maintenance officer, earning access to the prison's internal server and those of other jails, where he found surveillance footage showing abuse.

He saved them on a USB stick that he hid near the prison exit.

After NGO Gulagu.net published the videos of the abuse, the head of the jail, where prisoners needing medical attention for tuberculosis are held, was sacked, along with three regional prison officials.

Russia's vast prison system has long a place of torture and sexual violence inflicted on inmates, monitors say, but the videos have cast new light on abuses.

(With inputs from agencies)

Prosecutors in Russia on Wednesday dismissed a case against a jail-torture whistleblower. The former prison inmate had leaked videos of torture inside Russian jail.

Prosecutors in Russia on Wednesday dismissed a case against a jail-torture whistleblower. The former prison inmate had leaked videos of torture inside Russian jail. He is now seeking asylum in France. Last month, the Gulagu.net NGO published footage of abuse at a prison in the central city of Saratov. The videos were leaked by Sergei Savelyev -- a Belarus national who had served time there for drug trafficking. Savelyev has since fled Russia and asked for asylum in France. He was charged with "illegal access to computer information". A court ordered him arrested in absentia. According to a document published on Wednesday by Gulagu.net, the prosecutor for the Saratov region ordered that the charges be dropped due to their "illegality and groundlessness". Savelyev was also removed from the interior ministry's wanted list, the Interfax news agency reported. Earlier on Wednesday, the head of the prison service in the Saratov region, Anton Yefarkin, said 18 officials had been fired and 11 had faced "the strictest" disciplinary measures. Five criminal cases have been opened in connection with the videos, he said. "We are doing everything to work things out and draw the appropriate conclusions," Yefarkin told regional state television. "I am sure that in the future this will not repeat itself," he said. During his prison term, Savelyev worked as an IT maintenance officer, earning access to the prison's internal server and those of other jails, where he found surveillance footage showing abuse. He saved them on a USB stick that he hid near the prison exit. After NGO Gulagu.net published the videos of the abuse, the head of the jail, where prisoners needing medical attention for tuberculosis are held, was sacked, along with three regional prison officials. Russia's vast prison system has long a place of torture and sexual violence inflicted on inmates, monitors say, but the videos have cast new light on abuses. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia: Case against prison torture whistleblower dropped

Whistleblower Frances Haugen has denounced the recent Facebook's Meta rebranding urging her former boss Mark Zuckerberg to step down. She has accused the company of yet again prioritising expansion over people's safety.

Whistleblower Frances Haugen denounces Facebook's Meta rebranding

In a call for Mark Zuckerberg to step down, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen said the business will be better off with a leader, who focuses on user safety. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The whistleblower delivered the strongest call for guard change at the social media giant. &nbsp;

Facebook’s parent company, which rebranded to Meta last week, is unlikely to change if its founder remains in-charge, said Haugen. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-wealthier-than-entire-pakistans-gdp-425852" hreflang="en">Tesla CEO Elon Musk wealthier than entire Pakistan’s GDP</a>

The ex-Facebook employee, who leaked tens of thousands of internal documents, which give details about the company’s struggles with user safety and misinformation was speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Haugen has also criticised Zuckerberg’s “unconscionable” decision to invest in metaverse concept rather than solving its issues. &nbsp;

When asked if Zuckerberg should step down, Haugen said, “I think Facebook will be stronger with someone, who is willing to focus on safety, so yes.” &nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/facebook-is-failing-to-safeguard-users-from-covid-19-disinformation-research-425995">Facebook is failing to safeguard users from COVID-19 disinformation: Research</a>

“Mark holds 54% of the voting shares in Facebook. He is the chairman and the CEO, and I think that at a minimum the shareholders have the right to actually choose their CEO. And so, I think it is unlikely the company will change if he remains the CEO,” said Haugen. &nbsp;

“And I hope that he can see that there is so much good he could do in the world, and maybe it’s a chance for someone else to maybe take the reins.” &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a call for Mark Zuckerberg to step down, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen said the business will be better off with a leader, who focuses on user safety.

In a call for Mark Zuckerberg to step down, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen said the business will be better off with a leader, who focuses on user safety. The whistleblower delivered the strongest call for guard change at the social media giant. Facebook’s parent company, which rebranded to Meta last week, is unlikely to change if its founder remains in-charge, said Haugen. Also Read: Tesla CEO Elon Musk wealthier than entire Pakistan’s GDP The ex-Facebook employee, who leaked tens of thousands of internal documents, which give details about the company’s struggles with user safety and misinformation was speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon. Haugen has also criticised Zuckerberg’s “unconscionable” decision to invest in metaverse concept rather than solving its issues. When asked if Zuckerberg should step down, Haugen said, “I think Facebook will be stronger with someone, who is willing to focus on safety, so yes.” Also Read | Facebook is failing to safeguard users from COVID-19 disinformation: Research “Mark holds 54% of the voting shares in Facebook. He is the chairman and the CEO, and I think that at a minimum the shareholders have the right to actually choose their CEO. And so, I think it is unlikely the company will change if he remains the CEO,” said Haugen. “And I hope that he can see that there is so much good he could do in the world, and maybe it’s a chance for someone else to maybe take the reins.” (With inputs from agencies)

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg should step down, says whistleblower Frances Haugen

Frances Haugen, a Facebook data scientist turned whistleblower, appeared Monday before a UK Parliamentary committee looking at online safety legislation.

Speaking to the British parliament, she said that Facebook will fuel more violent unrest around the world because of the way its algorithms are designed to promote divisive content.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frances-haugen-to-testify-about-facebook-and-online-harm-423860">Frances Haugen to testify about Facebook and online harm</a>

In her view, the social network saw safety as a cost centre and glorified a start-up culture where cutting corners was good. It was "unquestionably" making hate worse, she added.

"The events we're seeing around the world, things like Myanmar and Ethiopia, those are the opening chapters because engagement-based ranking does two things: one, it prioritises and amplifies divisive and polarising extreme content and two it concentrates it," she said.

Haugen said she had come forward "because now is the most critical time to act"

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/facebook-struggles-to-combat-misinformation-and-hate-speech-in-india-report-423506">Also read |&nbsp;Facebook struggles to combat misinformation and hate speech in India: Report</a>

She explained how Facebook Groups amplify online hate, saying algorithms that prioritize engagement take people with mainstream interests and push them to the extremes.

“One of the things that happens in aggregate is the algorithms take people who have very mainstream interests and they push them towards extreme interests. You can be someone who is center left and you’ll be pushed to radical left, you can be centre right and you’ll be pushed to radical right.”

As per her, the company could add moderators to prevent groups from being used to spread extremist views.

Watch |&nbsp;Facebook selective in curbing hate speech, mis-information and inflammatory posts

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/facebook-selective-in-curbing-hate-speech-mis-information-and-inflammatory-posts-423637/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The committee is proposing that companies that fail to limit and remove harmful online material should face heavy fines and other significant penalties.

"It pushes you to the extremes and it fans hate," she told lawmakers, adding," Anger and hate is the easiest way to grow on Facebook... bad actors have an incentive to play the algorithm, and they figure out all the ways to optimise Facebook."

Social media companies could face fines of up to 10% of their revenue if they fail to remove or limit the spread of illegal content, such as child sexual abuse.

The government has also called on platforms such as Facebook to do more to protect children from grooming, bullying, and pornography.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Frances Haugen, a Facebook data scientist turned whistleblower, appeared Monday before a UK Parliamentary committee looking at online safety legislation. Speaking to the British parliament, she said that Facebook will fuel more violent unrest around the world because of the way its algorithms are designed to promote divisive content.

Frances Haugen, a Facebook data scientist turned whistleblower, appeared Monday before a UK Parliamentary committee looking at online safety legislation. Speaking to the British parliament, she said that Facebook will fuel more violent unrest around the world because of the way its algorithms are designed to promote divisive content. Also read | Frances Haugen to testify about Facebook and online harm In her view, the social network saw safety as a cost centre and glorified a start-up culture where cutting corners was good. It was "unquestionably" making hate worse, she added. "The events we're seeing around the world, things like Myanmar and Ethiopia, those are the opening chapters because engagement-based ranking does two things: one, it prioritises and amplifies divisive and polarising extreme content and two it concentrates it," she said. Haugen said she had come forward "because now is the most critical time to act" Also read | Facebook struggles to combat misinformation and hate speech in India: Report She explained how Facebook Groups amplify online hate, saying algorithms that prioritize engagement take people with mainstream interests and push them to the extremes. “One of the things that happens in aggregate is the algorithms take people who have very mainstream interests and they push them towards extreme interests. You can be someone who is center left and you’ll be pushed to radical left, you can be centre right and you’ll be pushed to radical right.” As per her, the company could add moderators to prevent groups from being used to spread extremist views. Watch | Facebook selective in curbing hate speech, mis-information and inflammatory posts The committee is proposing that companies that fail to limit and remove harmful online material should face heavy fines and other significant penalties. "It pushes you to the extremes and it fans hate," she told lawmakers, adding," Anger and hate is the easiest way to grow on Facebook... bad actors have an incentive to play the algorithm, and they figure out all the ways to optimise Facebook." Social media companies could face fines of up to 10% of their revenue if they fail to remove or limit the spread of illegal content, such as child sexual abuse. The government has also called on platforms such as Facebook to do more to protect children from grooming, bullying, and pornography. (With inputs from Agencies)

Hate easiest way to grow on Facebook: Whistleblower Frances Haugen testifies before UK parliament

Malaysia's top glove corporation has terminated one of its employees for sharing pictures of its colleagues violating virus restrictions inside the factory. The incident which took place in September has resurfaced once again due to rising infection cases in the company

Malaysia's Top Glove currently a COVID-19 Cluster

China government has been blamed for quieting their critics at home but now their threatening techniques for restriction and observation are reaching out to activists who have fled to the alleged security of foreign countries.

China is taking extreme measures to silence anyone who speaks out against its government.

Many activists and journalists in countries like the US, Canada and Australia have expressed the different ways of how China uses intimidation and harassment to control overseas dissent.

Many activists have received death threats and been confronted by Chinese agents in their new countries. Others say they have been victims of blackmail and intimidation.

One activist &amp; author Kong Tsung-gan who wrote the book 'Liberate HK: Stories from the Freedom Struggle' has tweeted that "The #CCP will hunt you down wherever you go".

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The <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CCP?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CCP</a> will hunt you down wherever you go: Witness this video of a Chinese police officer threatening <a href="https://twitter.com/Horror_Zoo?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Horror_Zoo</a>, who lives in Australia, over her tweets about Xi Jinping. CCP insinuates it will harm her family if she doesn't delete her Twitter account. <a href="https://t.co/a4OaG3ElC5">https://t.co/a4OaG3ElC5</a> <a href="https://t.co/HLklmLZgnH">pic.twitter.com/HLklmLZgnH</a>
— Kong Tsung-gan / 江松澗 (@KongTsungGan) <a href="https://twitter.com/KongTsungGan/status/1282626087269343233?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The Chinese authorities are so anxious to silence critics of the Communists government that they are currently video-calling nonconformists in different nations to attempt to constrain them to toe the party line. What's more, they're doing it while sitting close to individuals from the dissenters' families.

Last month, a United Nations whistleblower in an exclusive conversation with WION accused the UN Human Rights office of secretly providing the Chinese government names of activists critical of the Communist Party of China and their atrocities.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-accuses-un-human-rights-office-of-helping-china-keep-an-eye-on-dissidents-301414">Also read: Whistleblower accuses UN human rights office of helping China keep an eye on dissidents</a> 
 
Emma Reilly, a UN employee who first found about the practice in 2013, said, "One of the first issues we had to deal with was a request from China to know whether specific individuals were planning to attend the session. I had received a similar request before and the answer has always been NO."

She added she thought it would never happen.&nbsp;

"The policy, the practice was very clear that its member states wanted to know about specific individuals, they have to ask in front of all member states. It wasn’t something that they could get secret advance information from the UN administration. The outcome of those emails was a decision by the Chief of Branch, Human Rights Council that names should be handed to China and only China," she said.

(With inputs from agencies)

China government has been blamed for quieting their critics at home but now their threatening techniques for restriction and observation are reaching out to activists who have fled to the alleged security of foreign countries.

China government has been blamed for quieting their critics at home but now their threatening techniques for restriction and observation are reaching out to activists who have fled to the alleged security of foreign countries. China is taking extreme measures to silence anyone who speaks out against its government. Many activists and journalists in countries like the US, Canada and Australia have expressed the different ways of how China uses intimidation and harassment to control overseas dissent. Many activists have received death threats and been confronted by Chinese agents in their new countries. Others say they have been victims of blackmail and intimidation. One activist & author Kong Tsung-gan who wrote the book 'Liberate HK: Stories from the Freedom Struggle' has tweeted that "The #CCP will hunt you down wherever you go". The #CCP will hunt you down wherever you go: Witness this video of a Chinese police officer threatening @Horror_Zoo, who lives in Australia, over her tweets about Xi Jinping. CCP insinuates it will harm her family if she doesn't delete her Twitter account. https://t.co/a4OaG3ElC5 pic.twitter.com/HLklmLZgnH — Kong Tsung-gan / 江松澗 (@KongTsungGan) July 13, 2020 × The Chinese authorities are so anxious to silence critics of the Communists government that they are currently video-calling nonconformists in different nations to attempt to constrain them to toe the party line. What's more, they're doing it while sitting close to individuals from the dissenters' families. Last month, a United Nations whistleblower in an exclusive conversation with WION accused the UN Human Rights office of secretly providing the Chinese government names of activists critical of the Communist Party of China and their atrocities. Also read: Whistleblower accuses UN human rights office of helping China keep an eye on dissidents Emma Reilly, a UN employee who first found about the practice in 2013, said, "One of the first issues we had to deal with was a request from China to know whether specific individuals were planning to attend the session. I had received a similar request before and the answer has always been NO." She added she thought it would never happen. "The policy, the practice was very clear that its member states wanted to know about specific individuals, they have to ask in front of all member states. It wasn’t something that they could get secret advance information from the UN administration. The outcome of those emails was a decision by the Chief of Branch, Human Rights Council that names should be handed to China and only China," she said. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese authorities making threatening video calls to silence dissidents on foreign soil

Another doctor in Wuhan's China who closely worked with coronavirus whistleblower passed away due to coronavirus last week. Watch report.

China doctor Hu Weifeng battled coronavirus for months | COVID-19 Pandemic

A United Nations whistleblower in an exclusive conversation with WION accused the UN Human Rights office of secretly providing the Chinese government names of activists critical of the Communist Party of China and their atrocities.

Emma Reilly, a UN employee who first found&nbsp;about the practice in 2013, said, "One of the first issues we had to deal with was a request from China to know whether specific individuals were planning to attend the session. I had&nbsp;received a similar request before and the answer has always been NO."

She added she thought it would never happen.&nbsp;

"The policy, the practice was very clear that its member states wanted to know about specific individuals, they have to ask in front of all member states. It wasn’t something that they could get secret advance information from the UN administration. The outcome of those emails was a decision by the Chief of Branch, Human Rights Council that names should be handed to China and only China," she said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-china-forced-unhrc-to-hand-out-names-of-activists-301405">Also read |&nbsp;How China forced UNHRC to hand out names of activists</a>

Reilly also shared an attachment of an email that showed the names being handed over to the Chinese Representative to UN on his request to the Switzerland-based Human Rights office. The email stated names of&nbsp;two of the prominent Chinese activists,&nbsp;who were planning to attend the human rights session that year.

According to Reilly, China's request for the names was granted even though a similar bid for information from Turkey was reportedly denied.

Jeremy Laurence, Media Officer of UNHCR in a written response to WION said, "I can assure you that the safety of persons participating in sessions of the Human Rights Council is a paramount concern for OHCHR. Given pending litigation in relation to this issue, we would be precluded from further comment at this time.

To this end, UN, in reply to WION, said, "We can assure you that the safety of persons participating in sessions of the Human Rights Council is a paramount concern for OHCHR. Given pending litigation in relation to this issue, we would be precluded from further comment at this time."

Meanwhile, here's the&nbsp;exclusive conversation of&nbsp;Praphul Singh from WION with&nbsp;Emma Reilly -- verbatim. She&nbsp;spilt the beans for China and the United Nations Human Right Council's secret understanding: 
 
WION: When did you first learn about the fact that the UN Human Rights Office was handing over the names of activists from China to the Chinese Govt? 
 
EMMA: The first I learned about the practice was in 2013. I had just taken over the function at the Human Rights Council Branch responsible for liaison. One of the first issues we had to deal with was a request from China to know whether specific individuals were planning to attend the session. I have received a similar request before and the answer has always been, NO. at that point of time, a lot of emails went back n forth from senior managers at the UN Human Rights Council debating whether or not China would be provided with specific information. I honestly thought it would never happen. The policy, the practice was very clear that its member states wanted to know about specific individuals, they have to ask in front of all member states. It wasn’t something that they could get secret advance information from the UN administration. The outcome of those emails was a decision by the Chief of Branch, Human Rights Council that names should be handed to China and only China. I later discovered that all of those emails in 2013 were sent for my benefit because names were already being handed over. Probably since the outset of the council but at least in 2012.

WION: Is this normal for lists of activists to be given to respective countries by the UN Human Rights Council? 
 
EMMA: No, it isn’t normal practice. There is a very clear rule of the Human Rights Council that says it should not happen. It says very clearly that if the member states want to know that how someone can as accredited to which NGO they work for, they have to ask in the plenary of Human Rights Council in front of all other member states. It’s clearly against the rule of the UN itself to secretly continuous information to China and every other member state who asked was refused.

WION: Why do you think China was able to make the cut and the information they needed? Was it because it is a powerful member state and the UN didn't want to antagonise China? 
 
EMMA: I think so. I think because China is a powerful nation.

WION: What was your first reaction to the fact? What did you do? Did you raise it to the higher authorities at UNHCR? 
 
EMMA: I was shocked! I pointed out that there was no good reason for a member state to be asking this information and being handed over secretly. We knew already that people coming from China and people whose families were in China faced repression for speaking against China’s human rights record. We knew what the outcome of this was. The only reason China could be wanting this information was to intimidate them and their family members. This seemed to be opposite to the mandate of the UN Human Rights Council to actively save activists from being in danger. This wasn’t the case of them coming to Human Rights Council and then China taking the reprisal, this is the case of UN Human Rights actively facilitating China trying time prevent people from coming to the UN to speak out. It was the opposite of what we should be doing. 
 
I reported the same to the manager who ordered it, I reported it to his senior, I reported it to the then high commissioner of human rights. When not being successful, I reported it to the UNs internal authority called OIOS. I also reported it to the head of management. And none of them did anything, it has never faced any investigation.

WION: What did the Chinese Govt do after activists names being handed over to them?&nbsp; 
 
EMMA: Some of the people whose names were handed over have also given written testimony in my case. The described the Chinese govt attending their homes in China, forcing their family members to phone them, to try to persuade them not to appear. In some cases, they were holding the mobile numbers that they haven’t shared with their family members for their safety. In some cases, family members were being arbitrarily arrested, detained, tortured and even died in detention, particularly in concentration camps in China.&nbsp;

WION: Can you list out the names of the activists whose names were handed over and what kind of threats or actions did they or their family members faced?

EMMA: Dolkun Isa, the head of the world Uyghur congress. His family was forced to call him, his brother was arbitrarily arrested and disappeared and both of his parents have died in the concentration camps. Geng He wife of Gao Zhisheng, a Chinese human rights attorney was another name revealed to China. The time her name was handed over her, the husband was in detention in China. Nobody knew where he was. On one hand, you had independent working group sending a letter to China asking where he was and on the other hand you had UN administration secretly providing China information that his wife was coming to speak out in the session.

WION: Finally what did you do to expose the UN and the malpractice in its Human Rights office? 
 
EMMA: You cannot sue the UN because the UN has diplomatic immunity. So the only way of taking the UN to the court about this was me to complain about the breach of my employment rights. So, I have complained about the UN publicly defaming me. They have repeatedly lied about the practice publicly. For example, the Dutch govt was giving an award to Former High Commissioner of Human Rights and they were asking some questions about the treatment of whistleblowers. The UN lied to the Dutch govt about the names being handed over and I was able to force the correction with the Dutch parliament. The Dutch parliament later clarified that the names were handed over.

A United Nations whistleblower in an exclusive conversation with WION accused the UN Human Rights office of secretly providing the Chinese government names of activists critical of the Communist Party of China and their atrocities.

A United Nations whistleblower in an exclusive conversation with WION accused the UN Human Rights office of secretly providing the Chinese government names of activists critical of the Communist Party of China and their atrocities. Emma Reilly, a UN employee who first found about the practice in 2013, said, "One of the first issues we had to deal with was a request from China to know whether specific individuals were planning to attend the session. I had received a similar request before and the answer has always been NO." She added she thought it would never happen. "The policy, the practice was very clear that its member states wanted to know about specific individuals, they have to ask in front of all member states. It wasn’t something that they could get secret advance information from the UN administration. The outcome of those emails was a decision by the Chief of Branch, Human Rights Council that names should be handed to China and only China," she said. Also read | How China forced UNHRC to hand out names of activists Reilly also shared an attachment of an email that showed the names being handed over to the Chinese Representative to UN on his request to the Switzerland-based Human Rights office. The email stated names of two of the prominent Chinese activists, who were planning to attend the human rights session that year. According to Reilly, China's request for the names was granted even though a similar bid for information from Turkey was reportedly denied. Jeremy Laurence, Media Officer of UNHCR in a written response to WION said, "I can assure you that the safety of persons participating in sessions of the Human Rights Council is a paramount concern for OHCHR. Given pending litigation in relation to this issue, we would be precluded from further comment at this time. To this end, UN, in reply to WION, said, "We can assure you that the safety of persons participating in sessions of the Human Rights Council is a paramount concern for OHCHR. Given pending litigation in relation to this issue, we would be precluded from further comment at this time." Meanwhile, here's the exclusive conversation of Praphul Singh from WION with Emma Reilly -- verbatim. She spilt the beans for China and the United Nations Human Right Council's secret understanding: WION: When did you first learn about the fact that the UN Human Rights Office was handing over the names of activists from China to the Chinese Govt? EMMA: The first I learned about the practice was in 2013. I had just taken over the function at the Human Rights Council Branch responsible for liaison. One of the first issues we had to deal with was a request from China to know whether specific individuals were planning to attend the session. I have received a similar request before and the answer has always been, NO. at that point of time, a lot of emails went back n forth from senior managers at the UN Human Rights Council debating whether or not China would be provided with specific information. I honestly thought it would never happen. The policy, the practice was very clear that its member states wanted to know about specific individuals, they have to ask in front of all member states. It wasn’t something that they could get secret advance information from the UN administration. The outcome of those emails was a decision by the Chief of Branch, Human Rights Council that names should be handed to China and only China. I later discovered that all of those emails in 2013 were sent for my benefit because names were already being handed over. Probably since the outset of the council but at least in 2012. WION: Is this normal for lists of activists to be given to respective countries by the UN Human Rights Council? EMMA: No, it isn’t normal practice. There is a very clear rule of the Human Rights Council that says it should not happen. It says very clearly that if the member states want to know that how someone can as accredited to which NGO they work for, they have to ask in the plenary of Human Rights Council in front of all other member states. It’s clearly against the rule of the UN itself to secretly continuous information to China and every other member state who asked was refused. WION: Why do you think China was able to make the cut and the information they needed? Was it because it is a powerful member state and the UN didn't want to antagonise China? EMMA: I think so. I think because China is a powerful nation. WION: What was your first reaction to the fact? What did you do? Did you raise it to the higher authorities at UNHCR? EMMA: I was shocked! I pointed out that there was no good reason for a member state to be asking this information and being handed over secretly. We knew already that people coming from China and people whose families were in China faced repression for speaking against China’s human rights record. We knew what the outcome of this was. The only reason China could be wanting this information was to intimidate them and their family members. This seemed to be opposite to the mandate of the UN Human Rights Council to actively save activists from being in danger. This wasn’t the case of them coming to Human Rights Council and then China taking the reprisal, this is the case of UN Human Rights actively facilitating China trying time prevent people from coming to the UN to speak out. It was the opposite of what we should be doing. I reported the same to the manager who ordered it, I reported it to his senior, I reported it to the then high commissioner of human rights. When not being successful, I reported it to the UNs internal authority called OIOS. I also reported it to the head of management. And none of them did anything, it has never faced any investigation. WION: What did the Chinese Govt do after activists names being handed over to them? EMMA: Some of the people whose names were handed over have also given written testimony in my case. The described the Chinese govt attending their homes in China, forcing their family members to phone them, to try to persuade them not to appear. In some cases, they were holding the mobile numbers that they haven’t shared with their family members for their safety. In some cases, family members were being arbitrarily arrested, detained, tortured and even died in detention, particularly in concentration camps in China. WION: Can you list out the names of the activists whose names were handed over and what kind of threats or actions did they or their family members faced? EMMA: Dolkun Isa, the head of the world Uyghur congress. His family was forced to call him, his brother was arbitrarily arrested and disappeared and both of his parents have died in the concentration camps. Geng He wife of Gao Zhisheng, a Chinese human rights attorney was another name revealed to China. The time her name was handed over her, the husband was in detention in China. Nobody knew where he was. On one hand, you had independent working group sending a letter to China asking where he was and on the other hand you had UN administration secretly providing China information that his wife was coming to speak out in the session. WION: Finally what did you do to expose the UN and the malpractice in its Human Rights office? EMMA: You cannot sue the UN because the UN has diplomatic immunity. So the only way of taking the UN to the court about this was me to complain about the breach of my employment rights. So, I have complained about the UN publicly defaming me. They have repeatedly lied about the practice publicly. For example, the Dutch govt was giving an award to Former High Commissioner of Human Rights and they were asking some questions about the treatment of whistleblowers. The UN lied to the Dutch govt about the names being handed over and I was able to force the correction with the Dutch parliament. The Dutch parliament later clarified that the names were handed over.

Whistleblower accuses UN human rights office of helping China keep an eye on dissidents

The US official whose whistleblower complaint led to the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump offered to communicate directly with Republicans on the intelligence committee leading the inquiry, his lawyers said on Sunday.

The US official whose whistleblower complaint led to the impeachment inquiry against President Donald Trump offered to communicate directly with Republicans on the intelligence committee leading the inquiry, his lawyers said on Sunday. The action was in response to Republican efforts, led by Trump, to unmask the whistleblower, a member of the US intelligence community whose identity has not been released, lawyer Mark Zaid said. Republicans have "sought to expose our client's identity which could jeopardise their safety, as well as that of their family," Zaid wrote on Twitter. News of the offer came as Trump called on the whistleblower to come forward, in a stark departure from norms in such cases. "The Whistleblower got it sooo wrong that HE must come forward," Trump said in a morning Twitter post. Later outside the White House, Trump called the whistleblower an "Obama guy" and a fraud and said, "The whistleblower should be revealed." Republicans have complained the impeachment inquiry in the Democratic-led House of Representatives has been unfair to them and to Trump, and that they have been restricted in their questioning of witnesses. The inquiry has followed established House rules. The Republican president is under increasing pressure as the House of Representatives forges ahead with its investigation of whether Trump solicited help from Ukraine as he seeks re-election next year. Leaders of the Democratic-controlled House expect to begin public hearings in the next few weeks. The inquiry was launched on September 24 after a whistleblower complaint from the unidentified US intelligence official who was concerned the president's actions on Ukraine were illegal and jeopardized national security. As the inquiry enters its sixth week, however, the whistleblower's testimony, based on second-hand information provided by other US officials, is not likely to be the most important. Lawmakers leading the inquiry have since heard first-hand accounts from US officials including former National Security Council member Alexander Vindman that describe Trump's efforts to pressure Ukraine to investigate the 2020 Democratic candidate Joe Biden and his son Hunter, as well as accusations he used $391 million in U.S. aid as leverage. A White House summary of a phone call between Trump and Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy showed Trump asking his Ukrainian counterpart to investigate the Bidens. Democrat Adam Schiff, the House Intelligence Committee chairman, said last month the whistleblower's testimony might not be necessary. The whistleblower initially offered to answer questions in writing if submitted by the House Intelligence Committee as a whole. Zaid said the new offer, made on Saturday to top intelligence panel Republican Devin Nunes, reflected the client's desire to have the complaint handled in a nonpartisan way. "Let me be absolutely clear: Our willingness to cooperate has not changed. What we object to and find offensive, however, is the effort to uncover the identity of the whistleblower," added Andrew Bakaj, another of the whistleblower's lawyers. Nunes' office did not return a request for comment. Longstanding Intelligence Committee policy is to protect whistleblowers' anonymity. Trump has repeatedly lashed out at the whistleblower and called for his identity to be made public. He denies any impropriety and says the impeachment is politically motivated. "They have the right to remain anonymous," Schiff said after Vindman's deposition last week. Trump on Sunday said Schiff cannot be trusted to release accurate transcripts of testimony given by witnesses in the impeachment inquiry. Trump on Twitter called the congressman "a proven liar, leaker & freak who is really the one who should be impeached!" Trump said Republican lawmakers should "give their own transcripts of the interviews to contrast with Schiff’s manipulated propaganda."

Whistleblower offers Republicans testimony as Trump pushes to unmask

United States&nbsp;President Donald Trump on Sunday called on the whistleblower whose concerns prompted an impeachment enquiry to "come forward," appealing directly to the intelligence community employee is a stark departure from norms of conduct in such cases.

"The Whistleblower got it sooo wrong that HE must come forward. The Fake News Media knows who he is but, being an arm of the Democrat Party, don’t want to reveal him because there would be hell to pay. Reveal the Whistleblower and end the Impeachment Hoax!" Trump said in a Twitter post.

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The Whistleblower got it sooo wrong that HE must come forward. The Fake News Media knows who he is but, being an arm of the Democrat Party, don’t want to reveal him because there would be hell to pay. 
Reveal the Whistleblower and end the Impeachment Hoax!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1191000516580519937?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 3, 2019</a></blockquote>
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The whistleblower whose complaint has shaken the&nbsp;<a href="watch: Trump meets Ukraine's Zelensky at United Nations">foundations of Donald Trump's presidency</a>&nbsp;is a male officer of the Central Intelligence Agency who was seconded to the White House, the New York Times reported earlier.

The man "was detailed to work at the White House at one point" but has since returned to the CIA, the Times said, citing three people familiar with his identity.

The complaint, which describes&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-zelensky-calls-controversial-donald-trump-call-normal-252078">Trump using his powers to pressure the Ukraine government</a>&nbsp;to find damaging information on Democratic political rival Joe Biden, "suggested he was an analyst by training and made clear he was steeped in details of American foreign policy toward Europe," the Times said.

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday called on the whistleblower whose concerns prompted an impeachment enquiry to "come forward," appealing directly to the intelligence community employee is a stark departure from norms of conduct in such cases.

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday called on the whistleblower whose concerns prompted an impeachment enquiry to "come forward," appealing directly to the intelligence community employee is a stark departure from norms of conduct in such cases. "The Whistleblower got it sooo wrong that HE must come forward. The Fake News Media knows who he is but, being an arm of the Democrat Party, don’t want to reveal him because there would be hell to pay. Reveal the Whistleblower and end the Impeachment Hoax!" Trump said in a Twitter post. The Whistleblower got it sooo wrong that HE must come forward. The Fake News Media knows who he is but, being an arm of the Democrat Party, don’t want to reveal him because there would be hell to pay. Reveal the Whistleblower and end the Impeachment Hoax! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2019 × The whistleblower whose complaint has shaken the foundations of Donald Trump's presidency is a male officer of the Central Intelligence Agency who was seconded to the White House, the New York Times reported earlier. The man "was detailed to work at the White House at one point" but has since returned to the CIA, the Times said, citing three people familiar with his identity. The complaint, which describes Trump using his powers to pressure the Ukraine government to find damaging information on Democratic political rival Joe Biden, "suggested he was an analyst by training and made clear he was steeped in details of American foreign policy toward Europe," the Times said.

Trump calls on Ukraine whistleblower to 'come forward'

United States President Donald Trump said on Sunday he "deserves" to "meet the whistleblower" who accused him of pressurising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for political gain, as well as the actual source that passed on the details of the conversation in this regard. Watch this video to know more.

'I deserve to meet my accuser': Trump on being accused of pressurising Ukrainian President

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he wants and deserves to meet the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/whistleblower-white-house-intervened-after-trump-ukraine-call-252228">anonymous whistleblower</a> at the centre of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-caught-in-trump-row-says-nobody-can-pressure-me-251999">fast-moving scandal</a> that has triggered an impeachment probe against him.

The <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/house-subpoenas-pompeo-for-ukraine-files-in-donald-trump-impeachment-probe-252546">whistleblower</a>, who could testify soon before Congress, fears for their safety if their identity is revealed, according to a lawyers' letter released by CBS News.

Battling the deepest crisis of his presidency, Trump in a series of tweets railed against accusations that he should be impeached for urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden, his potential 2020 White House challenger.

Watch: ''Greatest Scam in the history of American Politics'' says Donald Trump on Impeachment inquiry

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"Like every American, I deserve to meet my accuser, especially when this accuser, the so-called 'Whistleblower,' represented a perfect conversation with a foreign leader in a totally inaccurate and fraudulent way," Trump said.

Trump accused top Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff of lying to Congress last week about what Trump said to Zelensky in the July phone call.

"He wrote down and read terrible things, then said it was from the mouth of the President of the United States. I want Schiff questioned at the highest level for Fraud &amp; Treason," he wrote.

Trump's Republican aides have sought to turn the tables on Democrats pushing for his impeachment, insisting that the president was the true "whistleblower" as he had asked Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son for corruption.

"This individual is a saboteur trying to undermine a democratically elected government," Trump advisor Stephen Miller insisted on "Fox News Sunday."

"Getting to the bottom of a corruption scandal in Ukraine is in the American national interest."

Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani — who has emerged as his point man in the Ukraine scandal — led the charge along with Miller in combative Sunday talk show appearances.

Brandishing what he said were affidavits incriminating Biden's son Hunter over his work at a Ukrainian company, Giuliani said Trump was duty-bound to raise the issue with Kiev.

"If he hadn't asked them to investigate Biden, he would have violated the constitution," Giuliani told ABC's "This Week," charging that "Donald Trump was framed by the Democrats."

'Honor your oath'

The Democratic-led House of Representatives launched an official impeachment inquiry last week accusing Trump of a "mafia-like shakedown" of Zelensky aimed at damaging Biden.

Trump and his allies claim Biden, as Barack Obama's vice president, pressured Kiev to fire the country's top prosecutor to protect his son Hunter, who sat on the board of a gas company, Burisma Holdings, accused of corrupt practices.

Those allegations have largely been debunked and there has been no evidence of illegal conduct or wrongdoing in Ukraine by the Bidens.

But a transcript of the July call shows Trump pushing for Kiev to revisit the matter, saying both Giuliani and US Attorney General Bill Barr would be in touch.

For Democrats, that amounted to a smoking gun, leading Speaker Nancy Pelosi to finally approve an impeachment process she opposed as a risky distraction from the 2020 battle.

Pelosi on Sunday called for Trump to "speak the truth. Honour your oath of office to the Constitution of the United States."

"Don't make this any worse than it already is," she said.

Democrats have charged aggressively into the inquiry, ordering Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to turn over Ukraine-related documents and scheduling witness testimony.

On NBC's "Meet the Press," Schiff said he expected the whistleblower to testify "very soon" -- with all precautions taken to protect their identity.

'In harm's way'?

CBS News released a letter from the whistleblower's lawyers to the acting director of national intelligence expressing concern that their "client will be put in harm's way."

"We expect this situation to worsen and become even more dangerous," the letter said, calling for "appropriate resources to ensure their safety." 
Democrats have said articles of impeachment -- formal charges -- against Trump could be completed in as little as a month and swiftly voted on in the House, where the party has a majority.

The Biden campaign sent a letter Sunday to US TV networks to demanding they stop booking Giuliani for interviews, accusing him of "knowingly and willingly" lying.

Polls suggest public support is growing for the impeachment inquiry, with a new CBS survey showing 55 per cent of Americans -- and nine in 10 Democrats -- approve.

But even if impeachment is approved in the House, Trump would be tried in the Senate -- where, for the moment, he appears able to count on a Republican majority to prevent a conviction.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he wants and deserves to meet the anonymous whistleblower at the centre of the fast-moving scandal that has triggered an impeachment probe against him.

US President Donald Trump said on Sunday he wants and deserves to meet the anonymous whistleblower at the centre of the fast-moving scandal that has triggered an impeachment probe against him. The whistleblower, who could testify soon before Congress, fears for their safety if their identity is revealed, according to a lawyers' letter released by CBS News. Battling the deepest crisis of his presidency, Trump in a series of tweets railed against accusations that he should be impeached for urging Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to investigate Joe Biden, his potential 2020 White House challenger. Watch: ''Greatest Scam in the history of American Politics'' says Donald Trump on Impeachment inquiry "Like every American, I deserve to meet my accuser, especially when this accuser, the so-called 'Whistleblower,' represented a perfect conversation with a foreign leader in a totally inaccurate and fraudulent way," Trump said. Trump accused top Democratic lawmaker Adam Schiff of lying to Congress last week about what Trump said to Zelensky in the July phone call. "He wrote down and read terrible things, then said it was from the mouth of the President of the United States. I want Schiff questioned at the highest level for Fraud & Treason," he wrote. Trump's Republican aides have sought to turn the tables on Democrats pushing for his impeachment, insisting that the president was the true "whistleblower" as he had asked Ukraine to investigate Biden and his son for corruption. "This individual is a saboteur trying to undermine a democratically elected government," Trump advisor Stephen Miller insisted on "Fox News Sunday." "Getting to the bottom of a corruption scandal in Ukraine is in the American national interest." Trump's personal lawyer Rudy Giuliani — who has emerged as his point man in the Ukraine scandal — led the charge along with Miller in combative Sunday talk show appearances. Brandishing what he said were affidavits incriminating Biden's son Hunter over his work at a Ukrainian company, Giuliani said Trump was duty-bound to raise the issue with Kiev. "If he hadn't asked them to investigate Biden, he would have violated the constitution," Giuliani told ABC's "This Week," charging that "Donald Trump was framed by the Democrats." 'Honor your oath' The Democratic-led House of Representatives launched an official impeachment inquiry last week accusing Trump of a "mafia-like shakedown" of Zelensky aimed at damaging Biden. Trump and his allies claim Biden, as Barack Obama's vice president, pressured Kiev to fire the country's top prosecutor to protect his son Hunter, who sat on the board of a gas company, Burisma Holdings, accused of corrupt practices. Those allegations have largely been debunked and there has been no evidence of illegal conduct or wrongdoing in Ukraine by the Bidens. But a transcript of the July call shows Trump pushing for Kiev to revisit the matter, saying both Giuliani and US Attorney General Bill Barr would be in touch. For Democrats, that amounted to a smoking gun, leading Speaker Nancy Pelosi to finally approve an impeachment process she opposed as a risky distraction from the 2020 battle. Pelosi on Sunday called for Trump to "speak the truth. Honour your oath of office to the Constitution of the United States." "Don't make this any worse than it already is," she said. Democrats have charged aggressively into the inquiry, ordering Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to turn over Ukraine-related documents and scheduling witness testimony. On NBC's "Meet the Press," Schiff said he expected the whistleblower to testify "very soon" -- with all precautions taken to protect their identity. 'In harm's way'? CBS News released a letter from the whistleblower's lawyers to the acting director of national intelligence expressing concern that their "client will be put in harm's way." "We expect this situation to worsen and become even more dangerous," the letter said, calling for "appropriate resources to ensure their safety." Democrats have said articles of impeachment -- formal charges -- against Trump could be completed in as little as a month and swiftly voted on in the House, where the party has a majority. The Biden campaign sent a letter Sunday to US TV networks to demanding they stop booking Giuliani for interviews, accusing him of "knowingly and willingly" lying. Polls suggest public support is growing for the impeachment inquiry, with a new CBS survey showing 55 per cent of Americans -- and nine in 10 Democrats -- approve. But even if impeachment is approved in the House, Trump would be tried in the Senate -- where, for the moment, he appears able to count on a Republican majority to prevent a conviction.

Like every American, I deserve to meet my accuser: Donald Trump

Daniel Ellsberg, a former military intelligence contractor who leaked the "Pentagon Papers", a secret government history of the Vietnam War in 1971, is a contender for the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/young-swedish-activist-greta-thunberg-nominated-for-nobel-peace-prize-203378">2019 Nobel Peace Prize</a>.

Born on April 7, 1931, Ellsberg is an American economist, anti-war activist and former United States military analyst.

In 1971, whilst working for the RAND Corporation, Ellsberg gave rise to a national political controversy by releasing the Pentagon Papers - a top-secret study of the US&nbsp;government decision-making in relation to the Vietnam War - to The New York Times and other newspapers.

In 1973 he was put on trial charged with espionage, theft and conspiracy, carrying a total maximum sentence of 115 years. But due to evidence of governmental misconduct and illegal evidence-gathering, Judge William Matthew Byrne Jr. dismissed all charges against Ellsberg on May 11, 1973.

He has since won the Right Livelihood Award in 2006 and was awarded the Olof Palme Prize in 2018.

The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced in Oslo on Friday, October 11, at 0900GMT&nbsp;and the prize, worth 9 million Swedish crowns ($1.12 million), <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-makes-his-case-for-nobel-peace-prize-complains-hell-never-get-it-197683">will be handed over</a> on December 10, 2019.

Daniel Ellsberg, a former military intelligence contractor who leaked the "Pentagon Papers", a secret government history of the Vietnam War in 1971, is a contender for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.

Daniel Ellsberg, a former military intelligence contractor who leaked the "Pentagon Papers", a secret government history of the Vietnam War in 1971, is a contender for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize. Born on April 7, 1931, Ellsberg is an American economist, anti-war activist and former United States military analyst. In 1971, whilst working for the RAND Corporation, Ellsberg gave rise to a national political controversy by releasing the Pentagon Papers - a top-secret study of the US government decision-making in relation to the Vietnam War - to The New York Times and other newspapers. In 1973 he was put on trial charged with espionage, theft and conspiracy, carrying a total maximum sentence of 115 years. But due to evidence of governmental misconduct and illegal evidence-gathering, Judge William Matthew Byrne Jr. dismissed all charges against Ellsberg on May 11, 1973. He has since won the Right Livelihood Award in 2006 and was awarded the Olof Palme Prize in 2018. The Nobel Peace Prize will be announced in Oslo on Friday, October 11, at 0900GMT and the prize, worth 9 million Swedish crowns ($1.12 million), will be handed over on December 10, 2019.

Daniel Ellsberg, whistleblower of 'Pentagon Papers', contender for Nobel Peace Prize

The whistleblower whose complaint has shaken the <a href="Watch: Trump meets Ukraine's Zelensky at United Nations">foundations of Donald Trump's presidency</a> is a male officer of the Central Intelligence Agency who was seconded to the White House, the New York Times reported Thursday.

The man "was detailed to work at the White House at one point" but has since returned to the CIA, the Times said, citing three people familiar with his identity.

The complaint, which describes <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-president-zelensky-calls-controversial-donald-trump-call-normal-252078">Trump using his powers to pressure the Ukraine government</a> to find damaging information on Democratic political rival Joe Biden, "suggested he was an analyst by training and made clear he was steeped in details of American foreign policy toward Europe," the Times said.

Watch: Trump meets Ukraine's Zelensky at United Nations

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He also was clearly knowledgable about Ukrainian politics and Washington's relations with Kiev, which Trump is accused of manipulating to gain an advantage in next year's presidential election.

It was the first indication of the whistleblower's identity, other than previous statements saying it was either a man or a woman from the nearly million-strong intelligence community.

The person's identity is protected by US laws supporting officials who go through proper channels to report gross misconduct by their colleagues or superiors.

But the person is expected to testify soon behind closed doors in Congress, raising the prospect of exposure as more and more people to learn their identity.

The whistleblower whose complaint has shaken the foundations of Donald Trump's presidency is a male officer of the Central Intelligence Agency who was seconded to the White House, the New York Times reported Thursday.

The whistleblower whose complaint has shaken the foundations of Donald Trump's presidency is a male officer of the Central Intelligence Agency who was seconded to the White House, the New York Times reported Thursday. The man "was detailed to work at the White House at one point" but has since returned to the CIA, the Times said, citing three people familiar with his identity. The complaint, which describes Trump using his powers to pressure the Ukraine government to find damaging information on Democratic political rival Joe Biden, "suggested he was an analyst by training and made clear he was steeped in details of American foreign policy toward Europe," the Times said. Watch: Trump meets Ukraine's Zelensky at United Nations × He also was clearly knowledgable about Ukrainian politics and Washington's relations with Kiev, which Trump is accused of manipulating to gain an advantage in next year's presidential election. It was the first indication of the whistleblower's identity, other than previous statements saying it was either a man or a woman from the nearly million-strong intelligence community. The person's identity is protected by US laws supporting officials who go through proper channels to report gross misconduct by their colleagues or superiors. But the person is expected to testify soon behind closed doors in Congress, raising the prospect of exposure as more and more people to learn their identity.

Whistleblower in Donald Trump Ukraine scandal a CIA officer: Report

White House officials sought to restrict access to the transcript of a phone call between Donald Trump and the leader of Ukraine during which the US president sought help from Ukraine against a rival in the 2020 election, a whistleblower said in a complaint released Thursday.

"I have received information from multiple US government officials that the president of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 US election," the whistleblower, an unidentified intelligence community official, wrote in the complaint released by Congress.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-house-to-launch-trump-impeachment-inquiry-over-ukraine-controversy-251842">US House to launch Trump impeachment inquiry over Ukraine controversy</a>

The whistleblower said White House officials had expressed alarm about the gravity of Trump's call with his Ukrainian counterpart, and that they told the whistleblower that they had likely "witnessed the president abuse his office for personal gain."

"In the days following the phone call, I learned from multiple US officials that senior White House officials had intervened to 'lock down' all records of the phone call," the whistleblower said.

"This set of actions underscored to me that White House officials understood the gravity of what had transpired in the call," the whistleblower said in the complaint, which he or she described as a matter of "urgent concern."

"White House officials told me that they were 'directed' by White House lawyers to remove the electronic transcript from the computer system in which such transcripts are typically stored for coordination, finalization, and distribution to Cabinet-level officials," the whistleblower added.

In the transcript of the phone call released by the White House on Wednesday, Trump repeatedly asks the Ukrainian leader to help with an investigation of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden.

The Democratic-led House of Representatives has opened an impeachment inquiry to remove the president from office for abuse of power.

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White House officials sought to restrict access to the transcript of a phone call between Donald Trump and the leader of Ukraine during which the US president sought help from Ukraine against a rival in the 2020 election, a whistleblower said in a complaint released Thursday.

White House officials sought to restrict access to the transcript of a phone call between Donald Trump and the leader of Ukraine during which the US president sought help from Ukraine against a rival in the 2020 election, a whistleblower said in a complaint released Thursday. "I have received information from multiple US government officials that the president of the United States is using the power of his office to solicit interference from a foreign country in the 2020 US election," the whistleblower, an unidentified intelligence community official, wrote in the complaint released by Congress. Also read: US House to launch Trump impeachment inquiry over Ukraine controversy The whistleblower said White House officials had expressed alarm about the gravity of Trump's call with his Ukrainian counterpart, and that they told the whistleblower that they had likely "witnessed the president abuse his office for personal gain." "In the days following the phone call, I learned from multiple US officials that senior White House officials had intervened to 'lock down' all records of the phone call," the whistleblower said. "This set of actions underscored to me that White House officials understood the gravity of what had transpired in the call," the whistleblower said in the complaint, which he or she described as a matter of "urgent concern." "White House officials told me that they were 'directed' by White House lawyers to remove the electronic transcript from the computer system in which such transcripts are typically stored for coordination, finalization, and distribution to Cabinet-level officials," the whistleblower added. In the transcript of the phone call released by the White House on Wednesday, Trump repeatedly asks the Ukrainian leader to help with an investigation of Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden and his son, Hunter Biden. The Democratic-led House of Representatives has opened an impeachment inquiry to remove the president from office for abuse of power.

White House intervened after Trump-Ukraine call: Whistleblower

Actress Keira Knightley turns to the 2003 Iraq War for her latest film "Official Secrets", in which she portrays a British government employee who was fired for leaking a secret US memo in the run-up to the conflict. The 34-year old plays Katharine Gun, a former translator at Britain's global spy centre who was charged with breaking the Official Secrets Act for leaking a US memo seeking London's help in spying on the United Nations. Knightley spoke to Reuters about the role and film, out August 30 in the States and October 18 in the UK. Below are edited excerpts of the interview.

Keira Knightley turns whistleblower in new Iraq War drama

Britain's markets watchdog said on Sunday that it plans to overhaul its treatment of whistleblowers to make it easier for people to come forward.

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that it would announce details of the plan in the new year but was looking at how it maintains whistleblower confidentiality; how information is shared between supervision and enforcement teams; and how it can enhance senior oversight of investigations.

The plan was first reported by the Financial Times.

The watchdog has called for better protection of people who come forward but has also faced criticism for its own treatment of whistleblowers.

Earlier this year, it was told to apologise to a former Royal Bank of Scotland employee for having revealed his identity to the bank in a whistleblower case in 2013.

The Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner, which handles complaints against watchdogs, said that the FCA had failed to take sufficient care to establish whether the complainant had sought anonymity.

Last month, the FCA said that most British banks are not assessing and escalating whistleblower concerns consistently, adding that some of them need to improve arrangements to protect those who lift the lid on wrongdoing from victimisation.

The regulator received its highest number of disclosures from whistleblowers after its director for supervision, Megan Butler, warned financial firms in May about failing to tackle sexual harassment.

The disclosures related to racism, physical bullying and homophobia, as well as issues around gender, Christopher Woolard, the FCA executive director for strategy and competition, said this month.

Britain's markets watchdog said on Sunday that it plans to overhaul its treatment of whistleblowers to make it easier for people to come forward. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that it would announce details of the plan in the new year but was looking at how it maintains whistleblower confidentiality; how information is shared between supervision and enforcement teams; and how it can enhance senior oversight of investigations.

Britain's markets watchdog said on Sunday that it plans to overhaul its treatment of whistleblowers to make it easier for people to come forward. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said that it would announce details of the plan in the new year but was looking at how it maintains whistleblower confidentiality; how information is shared between supervision and enforcement teams; and how it can enhance senior oversight of investigations. The plan was first reported by the Financial Times. The watchdog has called for better protection of people who come forward but has also faced criticism for its own treatment of whistleblowers. Earlier this year, it was told to apologise to a former Royal Bank of Scotland employee for having revealed his identity to the bank in a whistleblower case in 2013. The Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner, which handles complaints against watchdogs, said that the FCA had failed to take sufficient care to establish whether the complainant had sought anonymity. Last month, the FCA said that most British banks are not assessing and escalating whistleblower concerns consistently, adding that some of them need to improve arrangements to protect those who lift the lid on wrongdoing from victimisation. The regulator received its highest number of disclosures from whistleblowers after its director for supervision, Megan Butler, warned financial firms in May about failing to tackle sexual harassment. The disclosures related to racism, physical bullying and homophobia, as well as issues around gender, Christopher Woolard, the FCA executive director for strategy and competition, said this month.

UK watchdog plans to overhaul treatment of whistleblowers

Political consulting group Cambridge Analytica used Russian researchers and shared data with companies linked to Russian intelligence, a whistleblower told a congressional hearing on interference in the 2016 US election Wednesday.

Christopher Wylie, who leaked information on the British-based firm's hijacking of data on millions of Facebook users, told a Senate panel he believes Russian intelligence services had access to data harvested by the consultancy.

Wylie told the panel that Russian-American researcher Aleksandr Kogan, who created an application to harvest Facebook user profile data, was working at the same time on Russian-funded projects, including "behavioral research."

"This means that in addition to Facebook data being accessed in Russia, there are reasonable grounds to suspect that CA may have been an intelligence target of Russian security services...(and) that Russian security services may have been notified of the existence of CA's Facebook data," Wylie said in his written testimony.

Wylie added that Cambridge Analytica "used Russian researchers to gather its data, (and) openly shared information on 'rumor campaigns' and 'attitudinal inoculation'" with companies and executives linked to the Russian intelligence agency FSB.

The hearing is part of a broad inquiry on both sides of the Atlantic over the misuse of Facebook data by the consulting firm working on Donald Trump's 2016 campaign.

Facebook has accused Cambridge Analytica of misappropriating its user data by violating terms of the data agreement with Kogan, the academic researcher.

On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that the FBI and Justice are investigating Cambridge Analytica for potential criminal violations.

The Times said it was unclear whether the probe was linked to the one led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia.

'Black ops' at CA&nbsp

Wylie told the panel that "the ethos of the firm was 'anything goes'" for its political campaigns, including "attempting to divert health ministry funds in a struggling African country to support a politician's re-election campaign."

He added that he was aware of "black ops" at the company, "which I understood to include using hackers to break into computer systems to acquire kompromat or other intelligence for its clients."

He said that one of the tactics used to interfere with voter participation included "weaponizing fear."

"In one country, CA produced videos intended to suppress turnout by showing voters sadistic images of victims being burned alive, undergoing forced amputations with machetes and having their throats cut in a ditch," he said.

"These videos also conveyed Islamophobic messages. It was created with a clear intent to intimidate certain communities, catalyze religious hatred, portray Muslims as terrorists and deny certain voters of their democratic rights."

Cambridge Analytica announced earlier this month it was shutting down, unable to recover from the Facebook-linked scandal.

Its chief executive Alexander Nix was suspended after he was filmed by undercover reporters bragging about ways to win political campaigns, including through blackmail and honey traps.

Another whistleblower said that Britons' personal data may have been misused by a pro-Brexit campaign ahead of the 2016 referendum in which Britain voted to leave the European Union.

Christopher Wylie, who leaked information on the British-based firm's hijacking of data on millions of Facebook users, told a Senate panel he believes Russian intelligence services had access to data harvested by the consultancy

Political consulting group Cambridge Analytica used Russian researchers and shared data with companies linked to Russian intelligence, a whistleblower told a congressional hearing on interference in the 2016 US election Wednesday. Christopher Wylie, who leaked information on the British-based firm's hijacking of data on millions of Facebook users, told a Senate panel he believes Russian intelligence services had access to data harvested by the consultancy. Wylie told the panel that Russian-American researcher Aleksandr Kogan, who created an application to harvest Facebook user profile data, was working at the same time on Russian-funded projects, including "behavioral research." "This means that in addition to Facebook data being accessed in Russia, there are reasonable grounds to suspect that CA may have been an intelligence target of Russian security services...(and) that Russian security services may have been notified of the existence of CA's Facebook data," Wylie said in his written testimony. Wylie added that Cambridge Analytica "used Russian researchers to gather its data, (and) openly shared information on 'rumor campaigns' and 'attitudinal inoculation'" with companies and executives linked to the Russian intelligence agency FSB. The hearing is part of a broad inquiry on both sides of the Atlantic over the misuse of Facebook data by the consulting firm working on Donald Trump's 2016 campaign. Facebook has accused Cambridge Analytica of misappropriating its user data by violating terms of the data agreement with Kogan, the academic researcher. On Tuesday, the New York Times reported that the FBI and Justice are investigating Cambridge Analytica for potential criminal violations. The Times said it was unclear whether the probe was linked to the one led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who is investigating whether the Trump campaign colluded with Russia. 'Black ops' at CA Wylie told the panel that "the ethos of the firm was 'anything goes'" for its political campaigns, including "attempting to divert health ministry funds in a struggling African country to support a politician's re-election campaign." He added that he was aware of "black ops" at the company, "which I understood to include using hackers to break into computer systems to acquire kompromat or other intelligence for its clients." He said that one of the tactics used to interfere with voter participation included "weaponizing fear." "In one country, CA produced videos intended to suppress turnout by showing voters sadistic images of victims being burned alive, undergoing forced amputations with machetes and having their throats cut in a ditch," he said. "These videos also conveyed Islamophobic messages. It was created with a clear intent to intimidate certain communities, catalyze religious hatred, portray Muslims as terrorists and deny certain voters of their democratic rights." Cambridge Analytica announced earlier this month it was shutting down, unable to recover from the Facebook-linked scandal. Its chief executive Alexander Nix was suspended after he was filmed by undercover reporters bragging about ways to win political campaigns, including through blackmail and honey traps. Another whistleblower said that Britons' personal data may have been misused by a pro-Brexit campaign ahead of the 2016 referendum in which Britain voted to leave the European Union.

Cambridge Analytica shared data with Russia: Whistleblower

Days after Economics and Maths paper leaks rocked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination, a whistleblower has come forward with the claims that Political Science paper was also made public.

The Economics question paper of class XII and Maths question paper of class X were leaked on social media hours before the examination.

The Economics exam was held on March 26 and Maths on March 28.

Talking to ANI on the condition of anonymity, the man said, "I am 100 per cent sure that Political Science question paper was also leaked.

He had contacted the person through YouTube who was leaking the paper and informed the CBSE about the paper leak on March 17 but no action was taken.

"I had managed to contact the person leaking the paper through YouTube. I alerted CBSE, Prime Minister and police on March 17, but no action was taken," the whistleblower said.

This whistleblower has come forward but the Delhi Police has widened the search for another whistleblower in the CBSE paper leaks case, who, on three occasions, alerted the education board about the leaks.

The whistleblower, according to the police, sent a fax message on March 23 to the CBSE and alleged that a coaching centre was involved in a paper leak.

The concerned person then again on March 26 sent a courier to the Rouse Avenue office of the CBSE.

In the courier, answers of the Class XII Economics question paper were written on four pages.

Apart from it, mobile numbers of four persons were also mentioned who allegedly received these question papers on the WhatsApp groups.

On March 28, the CBSE chairperson received an email at 1:39 am with an attachment of 12 pages in which questions and answers of class X were written.

The mail also appealed to the CBSE to cancel the exams.

However, the examination board did not cancel the exams.

The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged in this regard on March 28 evening.

Till now, the police have come to know that the CBSE question papers were leaked on 10 WhatsApp groups.

The Economics question paper of class XII and Maths question paper of class X were leaked on social media hours before the examination

Days after Economics and Maths paper leaks rocked the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination, a whistleblower has come forward with the claims that Political Science paper was also made public. The Economics question paper of class XII and Maths question paper of class X were leaked on social media hours before the examination. The Economics exam was held on March 26 and Maths on March 28. Talking to ANI on the condition of anonymity, the man said, "I am 100 per cent sure that Political Science question paper was also leaked. He had contacted the person through YouTube who was leaking the paper and informed the CBSE about the paper leak on March 17 but no action was taken. "I had managed to contact the person leaking the paper through YouTube. I alerted CBSE, Prime Minister and police on March 17, but no action was taken," the whistleblower said. This whistleblower has come forward but the Delhi Police has widened the search for another whistleblower in the CBSE paper leaks case, who, on three occasions, alerted the education board about the leaks. The whistleblower, according to the police, sent a fax message on March 23 to the CBSE and alleged that a coaching centre was involved in a paper leak. The concerned person then again on March 26 sent a courier to the Rouse Avenue office of the CBSE. In the courier, answers of the Class XII Economics question paper were written on four pages. Apart from it, mobile numbers of four persons were also mentioned who allegedly received these question papers on the WhatsApp groups. On March 28, the CBSE chairperson received an email at 1:39 am with an attachment of 12 pages in which questions and answers of class X were written. The mail also appealed to the CBSE to cancel the exams. However, the examination board did not cancel the exams. The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged in this regard on March 28 evening. Till now, the police have come to know that the CBSE question papers were leaked on 10 WhatsApp groups.

CBSE Political Science paper was also leaked, says a whistleblower

Cambridge Analytica has come under more scrutiny after reports of its parent company was not only involved in the Indian elections since 2003 but also worked on cases related to honor killings, reports said on Thursday.

Strategic Communications Limited states in one of the documents that it completed a project on “honour killings and cultural change” in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan between 2009 and 2010, and goes on to explain its achievement.

The document wrote: “Despite numerous legal instruments and policy pronouncements the custom of honour killing remains an issue in India and one that does not chime with its self-image as a modern democracy. At the level of enforcement, local police and magistrates are often sympathetic to the practice of killing."

“This has made systematic enforcement of the law somewhat problematic. SCL helped its client to better understand the often convoluted and secretive culture surrounding honour killings. The caste framework is deeply embedded into Indian society, however, economic growth and the breakdown of prejudices amongst the younger generation has challenged preconceptions around traditional culture."

“SCL examined the cultural and social systems that gave rise to killings, including the socio-cultural understandings of honour (maryada) that drove the murders. SCL analysed the issue via problem space mapping and on that foundation proposed a number of interventions to stop honour killings taking place.”

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/india-queries-cambridge-analytica-over-alleged-facebook-data-breach-36931">India queries Cambridge Analytica over alleged Facebook data breach</a>

A set of documents which were released by whistleblower Christopher Wylie also included information on issues that of “comprehensive research, followed by a targeted intervention, radically changed voter behaviour in Thailand”, and “Covert sponsorship of peaceful rallies in Indonesia prevented disorder and ensured a smooth transition to civilian rule”.

Documents given to the British parliamentary committee on digital, culture, media and sport, which was published on Thursday, includes texts of agreements that Strategic Communications Limited signed for elections in the US and elsewhere, reports said.&nbsp;

It is also said that the parent company had access to secret UK information and was singled out for praise by the UK Ministry of Defence for the training it provided to a psychological operations warfare group, according to documents released by MPs.

Wylie had previously claimed in front of a British parliamentary committee that the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/i-believe-cambridge-analyticas-client-in-india-was-the-congress-says-whistleblower-126636"> Indian National Congress</a> had hired the company.

However, Cambridge Analytica (CA), which is in the midst of the Facebook data privacy storm, has come to the fore and responded to the hearing of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, saying that whistleblower Chris Wylie had "<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/chris-wylie-left-in-2014-has-no-direct-knowledge-of-companys-practices-cambridge-analytica-126812">no direct knowledge</a> of the company's work or practices since 2014."

"Chris Wylie was a part-time contractor who left Cambridge Analytica in July 2014 and has no direct knowledge of the company's work or practices since that date. He was at the company for less than a year, after which he was made the subject of restraining undertakings to prevent his misuse of the company's intellectual property while attempting to set up his own rival firm. He was not, as he claims, a founder of Cambridge Analytica," the firm, said in a statement.

"Wylie has misrepresented himself and the company to the committee, and previously to the news media. He admits himself that what he says is speculation," the statement added.

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&nbsp;

Strategic Communications Limited states in one of the documents that it completed a project on 'honour killings and cultural change' in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan between 2009 and 2010, and goes on to explain its achievement

Cambridge Analytica has come under more scrutiny after reports of its parent company was not only involved in the Indian elections since 2003 but also worked on cases related to honor killings, reports said on Thursday. Strategic Communications Limited states in one of the documents that it completed a project on “honour killings and cultural change” in Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan between 2009 and 2010, and goes on to explain its achievement. The document wrote: “Despite numerous legal instruments and policy pronouncements the custom of honour killing remains an issue in India and one that does not chime with its self-image as a modern democracy. At the level of enforcement, local police and magistrates are often sympathetic to the practice of killing." “This has made systematic enforcement of the law somewhat problematic. SCL helped its client to better understand the often convoluted and secretive culture surrounding honour killings. The caste framework is deeply embedded into Indian society, however, economic growth and the breakdown of prejudices amongst the younger generation has challenged preconceptions around traditional culture." “SCL examined the cultural and social systems that gave rise to killings, including the socio-cultural understandings of honour (maryada) that drove the murders. SCL analysed the issue via problem space mapping and on that foundation proposed a number of interventions to stop honour killings taking place.” Also see: India queries Cambridge Analytica over alleged Facebook data breach A set of documents which were released by whistleblower Christopher Wylie also included information on issues that of “comprehensive research, followed by a targeted intervention, radically changed voter behaviour in Thailand”, and “Covert sponsorship of peaceful rallies in Indonesia prevented disorder and ensured a smooth transition to civilian rule”. Documents given to the British parliamentary committee on digital, culture, media and sport, which was published on Thursday, includes texts of agreements that Strategic Communications Limited signed for elections in the US and elsewhere, reports said. It is also said that the parent company had access to secret UK information and was singled out for praise by the UK Ministry of Defence for the training it provided to a psychological operations warfare group, according to documents released by MPs. Wylie had previously claimed in front of a British parliamentary committee that the Indian National Congress had hired the company. However, Cambridge Analytica (CA), which is in the midst of the Facebook data privacy storm, has come to the fore and responded to the hearing of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee, saying that whistleblower Chris Wylie had "no direct knowledge of the company's work or practices since 2014." "Chris Wylie was a part-time contractor who left Cambridge Analytica in July 2014 and has no direct knowledge of the company's work or practices since that date. He was at the company for less than a year, after which he was made the subject of restraining undertakings to prevent his misuse of the company's intellectual property while attempting to set up his own rival firm. He was not, as he claims, a founder of Cambridge Analytica," the firm, said in a statement. "Wylie has misrepresented himself and the company to the committee, and previously to the news media. He admits himself that what he says is speculation," the statement added. ×

Cambridge Analytica's parent company involved in 'honor killing' cases in India: Reports

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday asked the Congress to apologize to the nation for alleged data theft and trying to manipulate voters after Cambridge Analytics whistleblower Christopher Wylie identified the party as a client of the data firm.

The BJP cited a Cambridge Analytica whistleblower's deposition to claim that the controversial data firm had worked for the Congress and demanded an apology from its president Rahul Gandhi, saying he stood "exposed".

“Christopher Wylie, the whistleblower at the heart of the Facebook data breach scandal, has named the Congress as one of the clients of disgraced research firm Cambridge Analytica, accused of accessing user data illegally for political campaigns,” tweeted IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday.

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Cambridge Analytica is in the dock for data theft and trying to manipulate voters using unlawful means. It has been established that Congress was a client of Cambridge Analytica. Congress Party needs to apologise to the nation for data theft and trying to manipulate voters.
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/rsprasad/status/978642633919639552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Cambridge Analytica is at the centre of the Facebook data breach controversy where data of 50 million users in the US was compromised to benefit Donald Trump’s presidential election campaign in 2016.

The BJP cited a Cambridge Analytica whistleblower's deposition to claim that the controversial data firm had worked for the Congress

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Tuesday asked the Congress to apologize to the nation for alleged data theft and trying to manipulate voters after Cambridge Analytics whistleblower Christopher Wylie identified the party as a client of the data firm. The BJP cited a Cambridge Analytica whistleblower's deposition to claim that the controversial data firm had worked for the Congress and demanded an apology from its president Rahul Gandhi, saying he stood "exposed". “Christopher Wylie, the whistleblower at the heart of the Facebook data breach scandal, has named the Congress as one of the clients of disgraced research firm Cambridge Analytica, accused of accessing user data illegally for political campaigns,” tweeted IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday. Cambridge Analytica is in the dock for data theft and trying to manipulate voters using unlawful means. It has been established that Congress was a client of Cambridge Analytica. Congress Party needs to apologise to the nation for data theft and trying to manipulate voters. — Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) March 27, 2018 × Cambridge Analytica is at the centre of the Facebook data breach controversy where data of 50 million users in the US was compromised to benefit Donald Trump’s presidential election campaign in 2016.

BJP says apologise after Cambridge Analytica whistleblower alleges Congress used firm's services

Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie at a public hearing before the British Parliament's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee said India's Congress party was one of its clients.

"When you look at Facebook's biggest market, India is the top in terms of numbers of users. Obviously, that's a country which is rife with political discord and opportunities for destabilisation," said Labour MP Paul Farrelly, member of the parliamentary committee, during his questioning.

"I know that they have done all kinds of projects. I don't remember a national project but I know regionally. India's so big that one state can be as big as Britain," the 28-year-old said.

"I believe their client in India was the Congress," Wylie told the Parliamentary committee. "They do have offices there, they do have a staff there," he added.

The ruling BJP was quick to hit out at Congress after Wylie's deposition, IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters that Congress president "Rahul Gandhi has been exposed." "Congress lied to India," Ravi Shankar Prasad said. "Rahul Gandhi must apologise," he added.

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Rahul Gandhi needs to apologise to the nation for trying to subvert India’s election process using the Brahmastra of Cambridge Analytica. The nation demands an answer!
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/rsprasad/status/978643143779209216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Cambridge Analytica is in the dock for data theft and trying to manipulate voters using unlawful means. It has been established that Congress was a client of Cambridge Analytica. Congress Party needs to apologise to the nation for data theft and trying to manipulate voters.
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/rsprasad/status/978642633919639552?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Cambridge Analytica whistle-blower Christopher Wylie has accepted before British Parliamentary committee that Cambridge Analytica worked for the Congress Party.This vindicates what we have been saying from day one. Rahul Gandhi has been trying to divert attention all these while
— Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) <a href="https://twitter.com/rsprasad/status/978641923060543489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 27, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Earlier during the deposition before the committee, Wylie who worked for Cambridge Analytica earlier, declared that there is "tangible proof" that a Canada-based firm AIQ built the Ripon software to utilise algorithms from the Facebook data during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Ripon helped campaign managers to access voter database, target specific voters, conduct canvassing, manage fundraising and carry out surveys.

''It is categorically untrue, categorically untrue, that Cambridge Analytica has never used Facebook data," Wylie said, adding,"Facebook data and the acquisition using Aleksandr Kogan's (Cambridge University researcher) app was the foundational data set of the company. That is how the algorithms were developed. They spent a million dollars at least on that acquisition project." Watch the video here:&nbsp;

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Wylie has previously disclosed how users’ data from Facebook was used by Cambridge Analytica to help elect US President Donald Trump

Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie at a public hearing before the British Parliament's Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee said India's Congress party was one of its clients. "When you look at Facebook's biggest market, India is the top in terms of numbers of users. Obviously, that's a country which is rife with political discord and opportunities for destabilisation," said Labour MP Paul Farrelly, member of the parliamentary committee, during his questioning. "I know that they have done all kinds of projects. I don't remember a national project but I know regionally. India's so big that one state can be as big as Britain," the 28-year-old said. "I believe their client in India was the Congress," Wylie told the Parliamentary committee. "They do have offices there, they do have a staff there," he added. The ruling BJP was quick to hit out at Congress after Wylie's deposition, IT minister Ravi Shankar Prasad told reporters that Congress president "Rahul Gandhi has been exposed." "Congress lied to India," Ravi Shankar Prasad said. "Rahul Gandhi must apologise," he added. Rahul Gandhi needs to apologise to the nation for trying to subvert India’s election process using the Brahmastra of Cambridge Analytica. The nation demands an answer! — Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) March 27, 2018 × Cambridge Analytica is in the dock for data theft and trying to manipulate voters using unlawful means. It has been established that Congress was a client of Cambridge Analytica. Congress Party needs to apologise to the nation for data theft and trying to manipulate voters. — Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) March 27, 2018 × Cambridge Analytica whistle-blower Christopher Wylie has accepted before British Parliamentary committee that Cambridge Analytica worked for the Congress Party.This vindicates what we have been saying from day one. Rahul Gandhi has been trying to divert attention all these while — Ravi Shankar Prasad (@rsprasad) March 27, 2018 × Earlier during the deposition before the committee, Wylie who worked for Cambridge Analytica earlier, declared that there is "tangible proof" that a Canada-based firm AIQ built the Ripon software to utilise algorithms from the Facebook data during the 2016 presidential campaign. Ripon helped campaign managers to access voter database, target specific voters, conduct canvassing, manage fundraising and carry out surveys. ''It is categorically untrue, categorically untrue, that Cambridge Analytica has never used Facebook data," Wylie said, adding,"Facebook data and the acquisition using Aleksandr Kogan's (Cambridge University researcher) app was the foundational data set of the company. That is how the algorithms were developed. They spent a million dollars at least on that acquisition project." Watch the video here: ×

'I believe Cambridge Analytica's client in India was the Congress,' says whistleblower

Whistleblower Christopher Wylie, who helped set up data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica, said on Tuesday (March 20) that he believed the company had developed techniques capable of having an impact on elections.

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Speaking at a press club event in London, Wylie said he regretted working for the firm and apologised for what he described as his &quot;incredibly fundamental role&quot; in setting up the company.

Cambridge Analytica harvested private information from more than 50 million Facebook users in developing techniques to support President Donald Trump&#39;s 2016 election campaign, the New York Times and London&#39;s Observer reported on Saturday (March 18).

The firm&#39;s chief executive Alexander Nix was suspended after a secretly recorded video emerged in which he said that his UK-based political consultancy&#39;s online campaign played a decisive role in Trump&#39;s victory.

Wylie said working with Nix felt liberating as it enabled him to work freely on his research about predicting political behaviour using psychometric data. But he said the environment at the company soon became &quot;toxic&quot;.

Facebook&#39;s shares fell for a second day, closing down 2.5 percent to $168.15, as investors worried that its dealings with Cambridge Analytica might damage its reputation, deter advertisers and invite restrictive regulation. The company has lost $60 billion of its stock market value over the last two days.

U.S. and European lawmakers have demanded an explanation of how Cambridge Analytica gained access to user data in 2014 and why Facebook failed to inform its users, raising broader industry questions about consumer privacy.

Cambridge Analytica harvested private information from more than 50 million Facebook users in developing techniques to support President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign, the New York Times and London's Observer reported on Saturday (March 18)

Whistleblower Christopher Wylie, who helped set up data analytics firm Cambridge Analytica, said on Tuesday (March 20) that he believed the company had developed techniques capable of having an impact on elections. × Speaking at a press club event in London, Wylie said he regretted working for the firm and apologised for what he described as his "incredibly fundamental role" in setting up the company. Cambridge Analytica harvested private information from more than 50 million Facebook users in developing techniques to support President Donald Trump's 2016 election campaign, the New York Times and London's Observer reported on Saturday (March 18). The firm's chief executive Alexander Nix was suspended after a secretly recorded video emerged in which he said that his UK-based political consultancy's online campaign played a decisive role in Trump's victory. Wylie said working with Nix felt liberating as it enabled him to work freely on his research about predicting political behaviour using psychometric data. But he said the environment at the company soon became "toxic". Facebook's shares fell for a second day, closing down 2.5 percent to $168.15, as investors worried that its dealings with Cambridge Analytica might damage its reputation, deter advertisers and invite restrictive regulation. The company has lost $60 billion of its stock market value over the last two days. U.S. and European lawmakers have demanded an explanation of how Cambridge Analytica gained access to user data in 2014 and why Facebook failed to inform its users, raising broader industry questions about consumer privacy.

Whistleblower apologises for role in Cambridge Analytica, says company can impact elections

A British court on Tuesday rejected a legal attempt by Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to have a warrant for his arrest quashed.

Assange, 46, has been holed up inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London for more than five years because he fears extradition to the United States.

If he were to leave, he would face arrest by British police for skipping bail in June 2012 by seeking refuge in the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden to face an allegation of rape, which he denied.

The Swedish case has since been dropped but in the eyes of the British authorities, Assange remains in breach of his bail conditions.

Assange has said he feared Sweden would hand him over to the United States to face prosecution over WikiLeaks&#39; publication of a large trove of classified military and diplomatic documents - one of the largest information leaks in US&nbsp;history.

His lawyer told a hearing at London&#39;s Westminster Magistrates&#39; Court last week that the UK arrest warrant issued for breaching bail conditions should be dropped because Swedish prosecutors had dropped their investigation and withdrawn their bid to have him extradited.

However, the court announced on Tuesday his application had been rejected.

&quot;I am not persuaded that the warrant should be withdrawn,&quot; said judge Emma Arbuthnot, the chief magistrate of England and Wales.

After the decision, Assange&rsquo;s lawyer Mark Summers asked her to consider whether it would be in the public interest to continue pursuing his client for breach of bail conditions.

Arbuthnot said normally such issues would only be considered if somebody were brought to court to explain their failure to surrender to bail.

Summers replied: &ldquo;There are exceptional circumstances.&rdquo;

Assange, 46, has been holed up inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London for more than five years because he fears extradition to the United States

A British court on Tuesday rejected a legal attempt by Wikileaks founder Julian Assange to have a warrant for his arrest quashed. Assange, 46, has been holed up inside the Ecuadorean embassy in London for more than five years because he fears extradition to the United States. If he were to leave, he would face arrest by British police for skipping bail in June 2012 by seeking refuge in the embassy to avoid extradition to Sweden to face an allegation of rape, which he denied. The Swedish case has since been dropped but in the eyes of the British authorities, Assange remains in breach of his bail conditions. Assange has said he feared Sweden would hand him over to the United States to face prosecution over WikiLeaks' publication of a large trove of classified military and diplomatic documents - one of the largest information leaks in US history. His lawyer told a hearing at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court last week that the UK arrest warrant issued for breaching bail conditions should be dropped because Swedish prosecutors had dropped their investigation and withdrawn their bid to have him extradited. However, the court announced on Tuesday his application had been rejected. "I am not persuaded that the warrant should be withdrawn," said judge Emma Arbuthnot, the chief magistrate of England and Wales. After the decision, Assange’s lawyer Mark Summers asked her to consider whether it would be in the public interest to continue pursuing his client for breach of bail conditions. Arbuthnot said normally such issues would only be considered if somebody were brought to court to explain their failure to surrender to bail. Summers replied: “There are exceptional circumstances.”

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange loses bid to have UK arrest warrant dropped

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