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Facebook Quietly Hired Republican Strategy Firm Targeted Victory (techcrunch.com)

Posted by msmash on from the closer-look dept.

Facebook is still reeling from the revelation that it hired an opposition research firm with close ties to the Republican party, but its relationship with Definers Public Affairs isn't the company's only recent contract work with deeply GOP-linked strategy firms. TechCrunch reports: According to sources familiar with the project, Facebook also contracted with Targeted Victory, described as "the GOP's go-to technology consultant firm." Targeted Victory worked with Facebook on the company's Community Boost roadshow, a tour of U.S. cities meant to stimulate small business interest in Facebook as a business and ad platform. The ongoing Community Boost initiative, announced in late 2017, kicked off earlier this year with stops in cities like and Topeka, Kansas and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Facebook also worked with Targeted Victory on the company's ad transparency efforts. Over the last year, Facebook has attempted to ward off regulation from Congress over ad disclosure, even putting forth some self-regulatory efforts to appease legislators.

102 comments

  1. Explains Conservative FB Victimhood by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    #MAGA

  2. So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Are they not supposed to work with whomever they want? Ridiculous.

    1. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But what about the hacks?

    2. Re:So What? by AlanObject · · Score: 2, Informative

      Are they not supposed to work with whomever they want? Ridiculous.

      Not ridiculous when they manipulate elections against the law. Yes, some laws about that do still exist.

    3. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      They turned me into a newt!

    4. Re:So What? by nwaack · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Are they not supposed to work with whomever they want? Ridiculous.

      Not ridiculous when they manipulate elections against the law. Yes, some laws about that do still exist.

      What are you trying to say? That they should only be allowed to work with liberal firms 'cuz ORANGE MAN BAD? Your post just sounds like a whole bunch of butthurt.

    5. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      manipulate elections

      It might be possible to take claims of "manipulation" seriously if the claimants weren't being selective about which companies manipulation they're excited about, but when Google plays with search results to the benefit of (D)s everyone is expected to do whatever mental gymnastics are necessary to get that behavior into the "not manipulation" column. When Facebook grooms anything "conservatives" like from their potentially election impacting news feed we're told "private company shutup nazi" but let Facebook employ an (R) lobbyist firm and it's "oh shit eB1L corporates investigate them now11!!!....," all notion of private company magically gone.

    6. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Care to cite what law was broken and how they did it?

    7. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What laws were violated and what prosecution of these broken laws is going on?

    8. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Speaking of butthurt, that term is going to be in even more wide spread usage once the don and his crime family are finally behind bars and getting buggered by their new neighbors.

      Have a nice day.

    9. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Why did they lie about hiring the (retarded and fake) anti-Soros dirt firm? Maybe it's embarrassing to admit they're a BIG player in the fake news that Russians took advantage of illegally to influence the election for their pawn?

      Sandburg literally was the butthurt one, after Soros called FB a shit show on TV, so she decided they had to punch back. Then she lied about it Congress, along with Zuck. Lock them up next to Don Jr. Traitors all.

    10. Re:So What? by ShanghaiBill · · Score: 1

      There is no evidence that they broke any laws, nor is TFA even alleging any law breaking.

      But they DID work with people and organizations that also worked with Republicans. Isn't that egregious enough? I am certainly outraged.

    11. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      The tears from your crygasm are delicious, leftie.

    12. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      NPCs actually believe this

    13. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Speaking of butthurt, your mom called. She's wondering if you can stop by my place and pick up her lube. She forgot it here last night.

    14. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Lying to Congress is illegal, derp. Keep backing over your tits in the driveway you ancient moron.

    15. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You are talking to bill. The dude has a mail order bridge for Christ sakes.

    16. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Bride and bridge

    17. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Every time someone communicates to you about an election they are attempting to manipulate the outcome of an election. Manipulating election results is not only legal, it's protected by the 1st Amendment. It's called freedom of speech. What you mean to imply through innuendo is that Facebook ILLEGALLY manipulated the results of an election, and that that their manipulation was successful. Do you have evidence of that, other than that your shitty candidate lost?

    18. Re:So What? by Aighearach · · Score: 1

      Just keep waving your hands and insisting that you don't know that there are any rules. FREEZE PEACH!

      We're about halfway through right now, but the worst will be over as soon as the new Congress is sworn in.

    19. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

      Are they not supposed to work with whomever they want? Ridiculous.

      Not ridiculous when they manipulate elections against the law. Yes, some laws about that do still exist.

      Why are you dragging Google into this?

      Google Employees Debated Burying Conservative Media In Search

      Google employees debated whether to bury conservative media outlets in the company’s search function as a response to President Donald Trump’s election in 2016, internal Google communications obtained by The Daily Caller News Foundation reveal.

      The Daily Caller and Breitbart were specifically singled out as outlets to potentially bury, the communications reveal.

      Trump’s election in 2016 shocked many Google employees, who had been counting on Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton to win.

      Communications obtained by TheDCNF show that internal Google discussions went beyond expressing remorse over Clinton’s loss to actually discussing ways Google could prevent Trump from winning again.

      Yes, just because PMSNBC embargoes this story, it must be false.

    20. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Be sure to lick them off that cock before the other prisoners see, Trumptard. Tears are valuable in Federal Prison, you're going to need to save them all.

      Trump is going to die there.

      Speaking of butthurt, that term is going to be in even more wide spread usage once the don and his crime family are finally behind bars and getting buggered by their new neighbors.

      Wow, all this homophobic commentary is interesting. You must be one of those right wing nut jobs that all the liberals are saying bad things about.

    21. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Are his ancient tits not saggy? Checkmate. He's a moron, he loves to blather assertions that turn out to be 100% false when pressed. I love kicking his dusty ol' dick around, I admit it.

    22. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Be sure to lick them off that cock before the other prisoners see, Trumptard. Tears are valuable in Federal Prison, you're going to need to save them all.

      Trump is going to die there. Republicanism dies with him. Popcorn? No popcorn in Federal prison, sorry bitch. You have to earn it back, traitor.

    23. Re:So What? by tsqr · · Score: 1

      Lying to Congress is illegal, derp.

      You're right. Now, point to where the TFA says they lied to Congress. Oops.

    24. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No, orange man reckless and dangerous.

      And what do you mean by "a whole bunch of butthurt"? Is that sort of like 8 years of crying over barack HUSSEIN Ohblowme?

      Look at the bright side - you'll only have to hear it for 4 years.

      Now go find a way to blame it on Hillary.

    25. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With a big enough cock, blood becomes lube. Obviously you don't have that problem.

    26. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Halp! I'm in a twisty little maze of comments, all alike!

    27. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh, poor little triggered NPC. Must be rough not being able to think for yourself. Now why don't you run along and go scream into the sky or something.

    28. Re:So What? by AmiMoJo · · Score: 1

      They are hiring PR firms to try to bullshit Congress and the public about their data handling.

      --
      const int one = 65536; (Silvermoon, Texture.cs)
      SJW, n: "Someone I don't like, and by the way I'm a fuckwit" - AC
    29. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      That they should only be allowed to work with liberal firms 'cuz ORANGE MAN BAD?

      Facebook and Silicon Valley are literally the definition of what it means to be "ORANGE MAN BAD".
      We're talking about the company that is at the forefront of Russia-gate backed censorship campaigns.
      It's a BIG FUCKING WAKEUP to find the same in bed with glowing red washington lobbyists.

      What will it take for people to realize what is going on in America today?

    30. Re: So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're incoherent.

      Also, you have 6 years left. It's nowhere near finished.

      Then get ready for Madame President Haley, faggot.

    31. Re:So What? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Oh my god!

  3. And??? by XxtraLarGe · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Why is this a story? It hardly qualifies as news for nerds or stuff that matters. It just seems like an attempt by editors to foment flamebait material.

    --
    Taking guns away from the 99% gives the 1% 100% of the power.
    1. Re:And??? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Well, that's just racist and homophobic, isn't it???

  4. They're a corporation. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    They had goals, leaders, culture, and so on.

    Then they went public.

    Now they have a board and accountants really in charge, and the rest of the stuff they used are mostly leverage for the board and the accountants, and the large ocean of money trading their value.

    And Republicans offer power to that better than the other side currently, and during 2016 - so they dance to that tune, as much as they can get away with.

    Sure - the bulk of the company and 'customer'(product?) base doesn't believe that way - but they don't matter. They don't call the shots where it matters.

    Just like Democrats don't hold many of the tools of power that really matter at the moment.

    It's almost as if power has a corrupting structure to serve power against any other ideal, and shape everything in that direction if it isn't countered over time.

  5. How Dare They by Jarwulf · · Score: 4, Interesting

    They should only work with Strategy firms that cater only to Democrats. Also, the point of this is to insinuate this somehow means Facebook is conservative despite all the evidence to the contrary.

    1. Re:How Dare They by DigiShaman · · Score: 1

      Money talks. And the Zuck only cares about the buck.

      --
      Life is not for the lazy.
    2. Re:How Dare They by phantomfive · · Score: 1

      The logic is irrefutable: the other party is evil (Hitler, racist, or unchristian), so by working with evil people, Facebook is at a minimum marking themselves, and there's a good chance they've become evil themselves.

      --
      "First they came for the slanderers and i said nothing."
    3. Re:How Dare They by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Insightful

      They should only work with Strategy firms that cater only to Democrats.

      No, public companies should be apolitical. Citizens United is how we are in this mess. You may be fine being a happy slave for the new robber barons of the Information Age, but I do not intend to be a slave.

      Also, the point of this is to insinuate this somehow means Facebook is conservative despite all the evidence to the contrary.

      This fallacy of false dichotomy is part of the propaganda. So-called conservatives and fake liberals like to use it to divide us. And the media eats it up because it attracts eyeballs. We the people no longer hold political leaders, business executives, or journalists accountable and they know it!

    4. Re:How Dare They by alvinrod · · Score: 2

      It seems kind of silly, but this is the silicon valley tech press. Half of the staff are aspire to be left of Marx, so it's not weird that they would act this way. Facebook is supposed to be a progressive company, so how dare they associate with a company that has associated with their enemy.

      This line of thinking is totally consistent with their beliefs.

    5. Re:How Dare They by Vitriol+Angst · · Score: 1

      I know the reflex is to say; "both sides" whenever your team looks bad. But this is evidence of one side being directly used as evidence of both sides -- you skipped a step.

      Go ahead get all the bad faith actors because I'm happy not having anyone manipulated by propaganda. But somehow this is an excuse to do nothing?

      --
      >>"ad space available -- low rates!!!"
    6. Re:How Dare They by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I love how everyone thinks the blue team or the red team are monoliths. Targeted Victory is a bunch of Romney supporters, the kind who don't like Trump very much, so seeing them as part of a red monolith doesn't make sense. People who cheer on the red monolith (that doesn't exist) assume Soros is behind everything the blue monolith does, but in fact he's a liberal (in the international, not American, sense) Popperian and only works with factions of the left that cooperate with the ideals of Popperian open society. There are two big umbrella-parties out there, but they cover lots of factions looking out for their own interests, many of whom could switch umbrellas at a moment's notice.

    7. Re:How Dare They by fustakrakich · · Score: 1

      But somehow this is an excuse to do nothing?

      About what? And what are they supposed to do?

      --
      “He’s not deformed, he’s just drunk!”
    8. Re:How Dare They by Atrox+Canis · · Score: 1

      "Also, the point of this is to insinuate this somehow means Facebook is conservative despite all the evidence to the contrary." No, faggot, the point is Sandburg lied and Zuck covered it up. Both are guilty of lying to Congress.

      If you're such a butt-hurt partisan pain in the faggot ass that you have to make yourself the "real victim" in every scenario, we're just going to lock you up next to Don Jr. and let you really suffer for a while.

      Your comment would seem to indicate you have some special hatred for "faggot"s. You must be a Republican. How dare you soil this forum with your frothing hate speech.

      --
      Charter Member of The Committee Group For The Elimination And Eradication Of Repetitive Redundancy
    9. Re:How Dare They by HornWumpus · · Score: 1

      WTF Soros is not 'pro liberty'. He's an American 'liberal'.

      --
      John McAfee 'It was like that time I hired that Bangkok prostitute; to do my taxes, while I fucked my accountant'
    10. Re:How Dare They by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "you skipped a step."

      That's his thing. People are idiots and everything else is too complicated. You're not going to get anywhere with him.

    11. Re:How Dare They by Z80a · · Score: 1

      Yes, let's not hire the company that did something as insane as electing Trump.

    12. Re:How Dare They by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      You're such an especially standout idiot that you really believe doubling down on your juvenile dickery is a wise decision in this scenario. This is the best you can do. I would be so ashamed to be you. It must be so awful looking into a mirror that you resort to trolling strangers on the internet is the only way you can spread some of your life's misery around.

    13. Re:How Dare They by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I'd like to agree with you, but the background noise level (of idiots) has reached such a cacophony that the Boston Pops, performing the 1812 Overture with the assistance of the National Guard, might go unnoticed.

    14. Re:How Dare They by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      No. They shouldn't use dirty outfits like these, whatever their leanings.

      The fact that a clearly left leaning site uses right wing mercenaries is interesting. How you got to: "the point of this is to insinuate this somehow means Facebook is conservative" is ridiculous. Stop making shit up.

  6. Facebook not so woke after all? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    But they banned Alex Jones so clear they are on the side of the people! Or maybe not?

  7. Right by cascadingstylesheet · · Score: 2, Funny

    Right ... Facebook is on Republican's side, lol.

    It's just so obvious. I knew it the second they introduced their 53 genders. Dead giveaway.

    1. Re:Right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Read the summary and thought "I bet this was posted by msmash". Wasn't disappointed.

      Msmash seems to think even working with someone aligned with the GOP should be illegal. Yep, right now the Fonz is saying "And you thought I jumped the shark"

    2. Re:Right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Right ... Facebook is on Republican's side, lol.

      It's just so obvious. I knew it the second they introduced their 53 genders. Dead giveaway.

      Yeah, I'd suspect them of being Republican if they posted 53 different lies that do not count as violating the 9th commandment.

    3. Re:Right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      if your Republican faggot victimstance is too great to accept this

      Ah, how refreshing. Another liberal trying to show everyone how much smarter and more "woke" they are, but calling the other side a "faggot".

      To be explicitly clear, the summary makes zero mentions of Soros and the entire implication is intended to paint Facebook as wrong for hiring a GOP-related firm even when it actually was the right group to hire for such a job (same for Soros snooping).

      The previous story was about the Soros snooping though. This story highlights that they used the firm for other, more reasonable business.

    4. Re:Right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Republican faggot fears the news, news at 11"

      There you go again with the screeching homophobic slur. I swear you are starting to look more and more like a trumptard.

    5. Re:Right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Republican faggot fears the news, news at 11" - Keep obfuscating, maybe Mueller will get bored and stop locking up Trump's family? Lol, sorry faggot. They're going to get raped inside out in Federal Prison. Enjoy!

    6. Re:Right by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I swear you are starting to look more and more like a trumptard.

      Now, does that make him a Demican or a Republocrat? I swear, they're getting harder to tell apart every day.

  8. They touched a Republican! by SuperKendall · · Score: 4, Funny

    Unclean! Unclean!

    --
    "There is more worth loving than we have strength to love." - Brian Jay Stanley
    1. Re:They touched a Republican! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      How the fuck does this nitwit get modded up all the time for posts like this?
      It aint even that funny.

    2. Re:They touched a Republican! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Republican fakedick faggot accounts on this site are a dime a dozen, Ken Doll controls at least 4 doppels. This is his faggot life, and it's ending one minute at a time. When Trump goes to prison Ken Doll is target #1.

      There are consequences for dishonesty Ken Doll.

    3. Re:They touched a Republican! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Following him around is your faggot life.

  9. It's just marketing people by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    How many non-republican-linked firms did they also work with? None, I'm sure. This is a non-story. If Democrats want to win some new votes do they just keep talking to Democrats?

  10. Facebook hired non-democrats! Great! Scott! by x0 · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Which does that fit under? News for nerds or 'stuff that matters'?

    All /. is good for now are editorialized political posts masquerading as 'news', global warming/climate change stories, and the socialist ramblings about Bad Capitalism(tm).

    This place peaked with SCO and Groklaw...

    m

    --
    In the immortal words of Socrates, who said; 'I drank what?'
    1. Re:Facebook hired non-democrats! Great! Scott! by nwaack · · Score: 2

      I do miss making fun of SCO and Darl on /. Those really were the good old days.

    2. Re:Facebook hired non-democrats! Great! Scott! by fredrated · · Score: 1

      And yet here you are, reading and posting.

    3. Re:Facebook hired non-democrats! Great! Scott! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Where do sane people go for their news? It's ALL CANCER.

    4. Re:Facebook hired non-democrats! Great! Scott! by Holi · · Score: 1

      I remember a time when Slashdot kept away from political subjects.

      --
      Sorry, teleporters just kill you and then make a copy. A perfect, soul-less copy.
    5. Re:Facebook hired non-democrats! Great! Scott! by nwaack · · Score: 1

      I remember a time when Slashdot kept away from political subjects.

      Then MSMASH got hired.

    6. Re:Facebook hired non-democrats! Great! Scott! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      CmdrDildo was a Trumpfag too. Doesn't make a difference. All these Slashfucks are nazis.

  11. Private company by Tailhook · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Last I heard Facebook is a private company. When Facebook was grooming supposedly "conservative" news items out of their news feed I was told repeatedly that it's their news feed and they can manipulate it however they wish because it's a private company.

    Well, guess what; private companies are allowed to hire (R) PR firms and (R) lobbying firms.

    --
    Maw! Fire up the karma burner!
    1. Re:Private company by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Insightful

      Sure, but if they lie to shareholders or Congress they have explaining to do. Maybe you can't understand basic shit like that, maybe you can, but you sure seem to need an intellectual tune-up anyway.

    2. Re:Private company by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      they lie to shareholders or Congress

      Repeating that crap won't make it so.

    3. Re:Private company by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Nah, laws don't apply when we don't like someone.

      It's not assault if you call them a fascist first.

      It's not censorship if we do it to them, but is systemic oppression if they do it to us.

      Trailer trash and hillbilly aren't racist terms.

      Diversity means exclusively us. Tolerance is a synonym.

      You see we are morally right, which makes whatever we say factually right.
      Corollary: Trump is morally wrong therefore whatever he says is factually wrong, unless we like the thing he said, then he is lying about his motives. /s

  12. Who else would they hire? by MattBear · · Score: 1

    It was a tour to "stimulate small business interest in Facebook", sounds like a very right wing endeavor. If it was a tour to promote "free shit to entitled schmucks", I'm sure it would of been a left wing leaning agency.

    1. Re:Who else would they hire? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Troll

      Actually... the "entitled schmucks" are the ones using Putin cash to try to undermine our elections, like you bitch map-redrawing traitors seem to need to because America isn't falling for your treasonous GOP faggot dance anymore.

      See you in prison, bring lube Trumptard. Your ass gonna need it.

  13. The Fairness Doctrine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Insightful

    What is needed is a return to the Fairness Doctrine, in which all sides of the political debate get equal treatment by the media.

    Sadly, the FCC abolished it in 1987. http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1880786,00.html

    1. Re:The Fairness Doctrine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      no, because the logical conclusion of that is both sides of any issue get equal time... giving equal time to climate deniers is what keeps stupid people thinking that there is a debate about something which is not debatable (my ignorant opinion is as valid as your educated opinion)

      for FB I agree they should be able to work with anyone they choose, they should have to declare it though... this message brought to you by the makers of Zyklon-B... and then people can evaluate how much credence to give the message

    2. Re:The Fairness Doctrine by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      I can't wait to see the issue of Scientific American that has articles on the NASA Insight lander, the controversy about the moon landings being faked, and the explanation for why the earth is flat.

  14. Don Jr. going to experience all 53 genders by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    One after another, in Federal prison, as he's savagely raped to pieces.

  15. msmash showing true colors, once again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1

    Partisan hack! Seriously? We're supposed to believe that Facebook is now CONSERVATIVE and unfairly biased towards liberals?! LOL!!!1

    1. Re:msmash showing true colors, once again by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      "Republican moron fails to learn to read, America disappointed. News at 11"

  16. Conservative? by k2r · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Republicans are to âsconservativeâ as people fondling kids are to âsfiends of childrenâ .

    1. Re:Conservative? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Your definition of conservative and/or Republican is fucking stupid. Throwing around bullshit platitudes isn't going to impress anyone.

      Also, learn how to use /. from your shitty phone.

  17. Maturity by hdyoung · · Score: 1

    It took a while but the next generation of tech companies are all grown up. Amazon moving into DC and NYC (political and financial centers of power) and now Facebook buying influence.

    Don't get me wrong. It doesn't make me mad. Natural progression of a companies growth.

  18. Vendor Selection by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Look, I'm no fan of Facebook, nor have I ever had an account with them, but this is not news under any stretched definition of news. This boils down to "Company A hired Company B to do some work, and Company B had other clients including one not favored by the editors." Aside from an implicit guilt-by-association argument, there is no content here and this is not worth anyone's time.