Revelations about Cambridge Analytica and Facebook have provoked thoughtful discussion around the site on Monday. We’re also looking at a conversation on Brexit after Patrick Stewart wrote about his fears – and the end of a good few weeks of rugby for Ireland.
To join in the conversation you can click on the links in the comments below to expand and add your thoughts. We’ll continue to highlight more comments worth reading as the day goes on.
The Cambridge Analytica exposé shows the UK needs better data protection
Shadow digital minister Liam Byrne argues for changes to the data protection bill in the wake of revelations about Cambridge Analytica and Facebook. Readers have been adding their thoughts after following Guardian and Observer coverage.
‘We’ve been too slow to regulate social media companies’
This is a delicate area that requires careful and nuanced thought (and yeah, how likely are we to get that in this day and age?) but we desperately need transparency online with regard to advertisements at the very least. After that, the next step is to force social media companies like Facebook to pursue dishonest or politically motivated accounts or fine them into bankruptcy. These companies are harmful to us in many ways and they do not have a “right” to exist as they do. We’ve been too slow to regulate them.
However it is a fine line to walk. The freedom of expression on the Internet could easily be destroyed by unscrupulous governments in this push. We have to walk a careful line.
JohnnyCK
‘Successive British governments have treated the population as a whole as gullible idiots’
The best defence against propaganda is a population that is not susceptible to it. One that is told the truth by a news media they trust and will therefore dismiss “news” from our enemies as the lies that it is.
However, successive British governments have treated the population as a whole as a bunch of gullible idiots. They have lied to us, made false promises and weaseled out of commitments with “I didn’t actually say that!” type statements. And the media is no better: it deceives by feeding us false “news”, unchecked “facts”, spin, narrative and bias.
And it is that distrust which foreign “news” sources – and some domestic ones, too – exploit. They know that the history of lying to the public means that nobody trusts what they read, see or hear in the British media any more. And that just makes their job so much easier. When you expect to be lied to, one sources lies are much the same as any others.
graun
War shaped my childhood – don’t let Brexit risk our peace
Actor Patrick Stewart writes in the Guardian on Monday that UK citizens should have another meaningful vote on Brexit as its impact becomes clearer.
‘The loss of that wartime solidarity explains the greed and narcissism of the right’
This is what is forgotten in the current climate. As a teenager in 1975 that referendum was all about peace and unity across Europe and was fought with a strong emphasis on solidarity with others after the disasters of the war. Cameron’s referendum was fought on a climate of self interest and suspicion. Many of the oldest generation in their 80s and 90s voted against Brexit for those reasons connected to the memory of war, although much younger pensioners did not. The loss of that wartime solidarity explains the greed and narcissism of the right that has done so much damage over forty years.
herero
‘The EU is not a mercantile endeavour – it is a peace project’
This ignorance by a large part of Britons about the true purpose of the European Union is perhaps the most dispiriting aspect of the referendum fiasco. The EU is not a mercantile endeavour – it is a peace project that has brought together most of the continent on the foundation of common economic interests, democratic values and human interchange. No “deep and special relationship” will replace committed participation in building common European future.
nonanon1
‘Brexit must be abandoned’
How anyone can continue to pretend Brexit will be anything other than an unmitigated disaster defies belief. It must be abandoned before the UK is divided beyond repair.
WelshDaf
Six Nations 2018 verdict: Guardian writers on their highs and lows
Readers have been keenly adding their thoughts on the championship that came to a triumphant end for Ireland on St Patrick’s Day.
‘Ireland have a good chance of winning the World Cup next year’
Overall a fantastic tournament and shows how close the teams are. It was a great shame Italy couldn’t hold on in Rome, Parisse must be kicking himself with that knock on 3m from the Scottish line.
Ireland have been the best team in the NH for 2-3 years now, despite England’s recent win record. They are well coached and shouldn’t be scared of anyone, so have a good chance of winning the World Cup next year. England need some time out and settle on a proper game plan, some of the old stagers look shot and they were embarrassingly poor with their tactics and abilities at the breakdown.
Telff
The next 18 months will be make or break for England
I don’t say this lightly, but England really are staring down the barrel, and the next 18 months will make or break them.
Why? A quick glance at the fixture lists reveals New Zealand in November, a trip to Dublin in 2019 on the opening weekend of the 6 Nations, a trip to Cardiff, a French team that will be a lot better in the pool stages in 2019, and possibly an Argentina side that will recall overseas players for the World Cup. Some hard rugby to be played in that pool, and the injuries could literally cripple England’s trophy hopes.
By my estimation, England have 12 games to turn this sinking ship around, and Jones will have to earn his bread like never before, and these English players will have to take a long hard look at themselves. Will they be ash or diamond?
GordonsAlive
Comments have been edited for length. This article will be updated throughout the day with some of the most interesting ways readers have been participating across the site.
