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Lois Beckett

Lois Beckett is a ProPublica reporter covering politics, big data and information privacy issues.

Lois Beckett has been a reporter for ProPublica since 2011. She covers the intersection of data, technology and politics, with a current focus on gun violence and gun policy. Her Essence Magazine story on PTSD caused by gun violence, âBlack Americaâs Invisible Crisis,â won a 2015 Deadline Award for public service and a NABJ Salute to Excellence Award in investigative journalism. Previously, she covered the ways politicians use data to target votersâlooking at online ad targeting and the data broker industry. She is a frequent guest on nationally syndicated TV and radio programs, including CNN Newsroom, NPRâs On Point, KQEDâs Forum and WAMUâs Kojo Nnamdi Show, and also speaks about her reporting at conferences, most recently at the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg. With Olga Pierce and Jeff Larson, she won the 2011 Livingston Award for National Reporting, which honors outstanding achievement by journalists under the age of 35. She was also a finalist for a 2012 Livingston Award. Before joining ProPublica, she covered innovation in the news industry for the SF Weekly and the Nieman Journalism Lab.

Buying Your Vote

In Minnesota, Democratic Grandmas Gather Data About Their Neighbors

From the campaign sign on your lawn to what you write in a letter to the editor, your political opinions are being recorded in party databases — and then shared in ways you might not expect.

Buying Your Vote

Everything We Know (So Far) About Obama’s Big Data Tactics

A new look at what the Obama campaign did with its much-heralded data operation.

Yes, Companies Are Harvesting – and Selling – Your Facebook Profile

Personal details from your Internet profile—from your professional history to how many friends you have—are being collected, analyzed, and sold.

Buying Your Vote

Obama's Microtargeting 'Nuclear Codes'

Some key findings on campaign targeting from Time Magazine's interviews with Obama advisers.

Buying Your Vote

Why It May Be Illegal to Instagram Your Ballot

In most states, you’re not allowed to show other people your marked ballot.

Buying Your Vote

How Companies Have Assembled Political Profiles for Millions of Internet Users

Political targeting companies are pushing the boundaries of what it means to be "anonymous" on the web.

Buying Your Vote

Pandora Asks Listeners to Share Their Emails With Romney

The request comes via a campaign ad on the popular music site.

Buying Your Vote

Is Your Neighbor a Democrat? Obama Has an App for That

A new mobile app puts public information about voters at your fingertips.

Buying Your Vote

Help Us Find Out How Politicians Are Targeting You Online

Buying Your Vote

Dark Money Political Groups Target Voters Based on Their Internet Habits 

Dark money groups are using sophisticated online targeting tactics. Voters may never know they’re being targeted.