Cambridge Analytica Announces It’s Shutting Down, Blames ‘Siege of Media Coverage’

Cambridge Analytica, the data firm that worked with Donald Trump‘s presidential campaign, is shutting down — and the U.K.-based company is blaming the media for its own inability to remain competitive in the global marketplace.

The technology blog Gizmodo first reported Wednesday that the firm would cease its U.S. operations. Later, the Wall Street Journal reported the firm would shut down all of its offices. Cambridge Analytica had reportedly lost clients as legal bills piled up amid its involvement in the handling of Facebook user data.

In a statement released Wednesday, Cambridge Analytica cited its recent problems regarding online user data:

“Over the past several months, Cambridge Analytica has been the subject of numerous unfounded accusations and, despite the Company’s efforts to correct the record, has been vilified for activities that are not only legal, but also widely accepted as a standard component of online advertising in both the political and commercial arenas,” the statement read.

The company’s statement then blamed the media for its recent problems, and executives’ inability to handle them.

“Despite Cambridge Analytica’s unwavering confidence that its employees have acted ethically and lawfully…the siege of media coverage has driven away virtually all of the Company’s customers and suppliers. As a result, it has been determined that it is no longer viable to continue operating the business, which left Cambridge Analytica with no realistic alternative to placing the Company into administration,” the statement added.

[image via screengrab]

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