Carole Cadwalladr

Carole Cadwalladr is a British investigative journalist and writer best known for her work uncovering the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica data scandal in 2018. Her reporting for The Observer exposed how personal data from millions of Facebook users was harvested without consent and used for political advertising. The investigative work earned Cadwalladr numerous accolades including the Orwell Prize for Journalism and the Polk Award. She was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in National Reporting in 2019 alongside The New York Times and The Washington Post. Prior to her investigative journalism, Cadwalladr worked as a features writer and wrote the 2006 novel "The Family Tree." Her 2019 TED talk on Facebook's role in Brexit became widely viewed and sparked broader discussions about social media's influence on democracy. Her ongoing work focuses on technology, democracy and the influence of social media companies. Through her reporting and public speaking, she has become a prominent voice on digital threats to democratic institutions and the need for greater oversight of tech platforms.

Readers describe Cadwalladr as both an investigative journalist breaking major stories and a controversial figure pushing conspiracy theories, depending on their political views. Positive reviews note her research skills and ability to explain complex tech/political topics in accessible ways. Her Observer/Guardian articles on Cambridge Analytica and Brexit drew particular praise for exposing connections between data misuse and political campaigns. Critics argue she sensationalizes stories, makes unsubstantiated claims, and shows bias against conservative causes. Some question her journalistic standards and accuse her of pushing narratives over facts. Her novel "The Family Tree" received mixed reviews on Goodreads (3.5/5 from 1,200+ ratings): Positives: - "Sharp observations about family dynamics" - "Clever structure and pacing" Negatives: - "Confusing timeline jumps" - "Too many plotlines" Amazon reviews of her journalism work show stark divides, with 1-star and 5-star reviews dominating, reflecting the polarized reactions to her reporting on Brexit and tech companies.

The Family Tree (2006) A woman investigates her complex family history while dealing with memory loss and questions about her own identity.

House of Hidden Mothers (2015) A novel exploring surrogacy and cultural differences through the story of a British woman and an Indian surrogate mother.