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Frances Haugen, a 37-year-old former Facebook product manager who has worked on civic integrity issues at the company, will face questions from a Senate Commerce subcommittee about what Facebook-owned Instagram knew of. its effects on young users, among others.
In his testimony prepared by CNN on Monday ahead of his appearance, Haugen said, “I think what I did was right and necessary for the common good – but I know Facebook has endless resources it could use to destroy me. “
Haugen added: “I came forward because I recognized a frightening truth: hardly anyone outside of Facebook knows what’s going on inside Facebook.”
Haugen’s identity as a Facebook whistleblower was revealed in “60 Minutes” on Sunday night. Previously, she had shared a series of documents with regulators and the Wall Street Journal, which published a multi-part investigation showing that Facebook was aware of issues with its apps, including the negative effects of misinformation and the damage caused by Instagram, especially to young girls. .
“When we realized that the tobacco companies were hiding the damage they were causing, the government took action,” she said in the prepared remarks. “When we realized cars were safer with seat belts, the government took action. And today the government is taking action against companies that have withheld evidence on opioids. I implore you to do the same here. “
She added that Facebook executives “won’t make the necessary changes because they put their huge profits ahead of people.”
Facebook declined to comment on the prepared testimony. In a statement sent to CNN Business after the “60 Minute” interview, a Facebook spokesperson said, “To suggest that we promote bad content and do nothing is just not true.”
Facebook is no stranger to scandals, and this isn’t the first time the company has been the subject of hearings in Congress. It is also not the first time that Facebook’s public image has been shaken by a whistleblower. But Haugen’s documents and upcoming testimonials come as part of a deeper examination of Facebook’s power and data privacy practices, and have already sparked bipartisan criticism of the company’s influence on children. . It remains to be seen, however, whether this will create momentum for meaningful regulation.
Beyond the documents, there is also the power of Haugen’s personal story. She started at Facebook in 2019 after previously working for other leading tech companies including Google (GOOG) and Pinterest (PINS). She spoke to the Wall Street Journal about losing a friendship over misinformation online and its impact on how she thinks about social media. She also told the post that her goal in speaking out was not to bring down Facebook but to “save it.”
About a month ago, Haugen reportedly filed at least eight complaints with the Securities and Exchange Commission alleging the company is hiding research into its shortcomings from investors and the public. She also shared the documents with regulators and the Journal, which published a multi-part investigation showing that Facebook was aware of issues with its apps, including the negative effects of misinformation and the damage Instagram caused, especially to people. Girls.
“From his first visit to my office, I admired his spine and his courage in revealing terrible truths about one of the world’s most powerful and relentless giants,” said Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, who chairs the Senate Trade Subcommittee on Consumer Protection. in a statement Sunday after the broadcast of the “60 Minutes” segment. “We now know of Facebook’s destructive harm to children… because of the documents Frances revealed.
Antigone Davis, Facebook’s global head of security, was questioned by members of the same Senate subcommittee last week following the Journal’s report on the impact of its apps on young users. Davis, who identified herself as a mother and former teacher, rebuffed the idea that the report was a “bomb” and did not pledge to release a full research report, noting “confidentiality considerations” potential. She said Facebook “was looking for ways to post more research.”
The Journal’s report and renewed pressure from lawmakers following the hearing also seemed to force Instagram to rethink its plans to introduce a version of its service for children under 13. Days before the hearing, Instagram said it would put the project on hiatus.
“Facebook’s actions make it clear that we cannot trust the police itself,” Blumenthal said in a statement Sunday. “We need to consider tighter supervision, effective protections for children and tools for parents, among the reforms needed.”
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