Cambridge Analytica whistleblower to speak to House Intel Dems

A self-described whistleblower on data firm Cambridge Analytica’s data harvesting practices is slated to give an interview to Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee.

Rep. Adam Schiff (Calif.), the top Democrat on the panel, tweeted that he was “glad” to hear that former Cambridge Analytica employee Christopher Wylie was willing to speak to the lawmakers.

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Schiff has pressed the data firm over allegations that it obtained private Facebook information from more than 50 million people without their consent. Cambridge Analytica was suspended by Facebook on Friday, and the social media company is investigating whether the data still exists or has been destroyed.

A lawyer for Wylie confirmed to The Washington Post on Tuesday that Wylie would accept an interview to meet with Democrats on the committee.

“Glad to see Cambridge Analytica whistleblower is willing to testify,” Schiff tweeted.

Glad to see Cambridge Analytica whistleblower is willing to testify. Recent revelations about Erik Prince, Roger Stone and Cambridge Analytica illustrate how GOP decision to shut down their investigation abdicated their oversight responsibilities to country. But our work goes on. https://t.co/lLPhzFzdzF

— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) March 20, 2018

Schiff sent a letter to Wylie, a self-described whistleblower, on Monday seeking documents and other information related to any illegal activity committed by Cambridge Analytica.

“The Committee’s Minority is seeking testimony from the whistleblower about the reported misappropriation of private data, as well as information to determine where the data was stored, how it was used, and whether third parties accessed and exploited the information, including in Russia,” Schiff wrote.

In his tweet Tuesday, Schiff also chastised Republicans on the panel who he said “abdicated” their responsibility to provide oversight of the Trump administration by shutting down their probe of Russia’s meddling efforts in the 2016 election.

“Recent revelations about Erik Prince, Roger Stone and Cambridge Analytica illustrate how GOP decision to shut down their investigation abdicated their oversight responsibilities to country,” he wrote. “But our work goes on.”

Last week, Republicans on the House Intelligence Committee announced they would end their probe into Russian interference in the 2016 election, saying they found no evidence of collusion with the Russian government by Americans during the election.

Schiff blasted the conclusion as partisan and inaccurate in a tweet directed at President Trump, saying that Democrats had indeed found “evidence of collusion.”

“Mr. President, the Committee reached no such conclusion — only Republicans. In fact, we did find evidence of collusion, despite GOP members being more interested in protecting you than learning the truth. When accusing others of lying, best not to misrepresent facts yourself,” Schiff tweeted.