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Facebook has chosen to respond to whistleblower Frances Haugen in the most cowardly way possible: by hiding Mark Zuckerberg, the man ultimately responsible for Facebook’s decisions, and by beginning the process to smear and discredit Haugen.
This is Big Tobacco bullshit – precisely what sleazeball public relations guru John Scanlon was hired for when Jeffrey Wigand exposed the Brown and Williamson tobacco company. Scanlon’s task was to turn “the B&W story into a tale of Wigand’s personality.”
Of course, this strategy “has completely turned against him”, Vanity Fair reported in 2004. It probably won’t work here either. A senator, Edward Markey of Massachusetts, once called Haugen an “American hero of the 21st century”, adding that “our nation owes you a huge debt of gratitude.” Zuckerberg decided he was on top; he’s on holiday
Like Wigand, Haugen has receipts: internal documents and data from Facebook’s own researchers, all of which are serious and substantiated allegations about the damage to the platform and the choices the company made to maximize profits and engagement so as to increase this damage.
It’s possible to dispute his claims on the merits, but Facebook is too immoral for that – and Zuckerberg has decided he’s on top, instead of going on vacation.
Let’s read today’s Facebook statement on Haugen’s audience together, okay?
Facebook PR: “Today a Senate Commerce subcommittee held a hearing with a former product manager at Facebook who worked for the company for less than two years, had no direct report, no. has never attended a decision point meeting with C-level executives – and has testified more than six times not to work on the subject in question.Translation: Today a peon testified in Congress; she is too insignificant to name her
Translation: Today a peon testified in Congress; it is too insignificant to name it. Nothing that she says is worth it because she is not fancy enough. And although she has had access to several internal research documents to support her claims, you cannot trust her testimony on them – despite her subject matter expertise and years of experience in the field – because she did not write them herself.
Facebook PR: “We don’t agree with her description of the many issues she has testified to.”
Translation: We believe she is lying but will not say how, or on what, specifically.
Facebook PR: “Despite all of this, we agree on one thing; it’s time to start creating standard rules for the Internet. It’s been 25 years since Internet rules were updated, and instead of waiting for the industry to make corporate decisions that are owned by lawmakers, it’s time for Congress to act.If Facebook had proof, it would show it
Translation: It’s time to change the subject for something we prefer, even though Haugen herself has said Facebook presents some bogus choices when it comes to privacy and free speech.
Now let’s all notice what’s missing. While Facebook disputes Haugen’s characterizations of the research in question, it does not provide its own interpretation. This also does not engage Haugen’s claims – which are, incidentally, supported by internal Facebook research provided by Haugen. If Facebook had any evidence, it would show it.
After seeing this statement, the guy who was once the boss of Haugen boss Samidh Chakrabarti backed Haugen. His concerns are real, he said. And as Facebook’s Civic Integrity Officer, he made have direct reports and have witnessed conversations from the C suite.
Well, I’ve been there for over 6 years, have had many direct reports and have led many decision-making meetings with C-level leaders, and I find that the mixed views on the The need for algorithmic regulation, research transparency and independent oversight are very valid for the debate. pic.twitter.com/UT54vcsWzX
– Samidh (@samidh) October 5, 2021
But the funny thing is the absence of Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook and the only shareholder with the power to replace himself. Zuckerberg started Facebook as a Hot-or-Not clone, which would almost certainly negatively affect teenage self-esteem. (At least it’s consistent, I guess.)
The decisions Haugen alleged, which put profits above morality, also enriched him more than anyone. The male literally stops with him. So where is he?
If the best Facebook can come up with is this disgusting attempt at character assassination, Haugen is telling God’s own truth. We should listen to him.
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