Zuckerberg denies Facebook prioritizes profits over user safety

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg finally responded to whistleblower Frances Haugen’s string of claims on Tuesday, denying that the social media company prioritizes its profits over the safety of its users.

“At the heart of these accusations is the idea that we prioritize profit over safety and well-being,” Zuckerberg said in a post on his Facebook profile. “It just isn’t true.”

Zuckerberg’s comments come after nearly a month of Wall Street Journal reports that relied on internal Facebook searches provided to the post by Haugen, who left the social media company in May. The stories have highlighted many issues on Facebook’s services that the company is aware of but ignores or does not resolve. This includes research that shows Facebook is aware that Instagram is damaging to the mental health of adolescents.

“Of all that is published, my particular focus is on the issues raised about our work with children,” Zuckerberg said. “I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the types of experiences I want my kids and others to have online, and it’s very important to me that everything we build is safe and good for kids.”

Zuckerberg’s post comes after Haugen spent Tuesday morning on Capitol Hill testifying before Senators on both sides of the aisles about the problems the social media company is creating for the company.

Without referring to Haugen, Zuckerberg said that “a lot of claims don’t make sense.” Zuckerberg also said that “the argument that we deliberately distribute content that angers people for profit is deeply illogical.”

Zuckerberg also called on Congress to update internet regulations that determine at what ages teens should be allowed to use internet services, how tech companies should verify the ages of users, and how businesses should balance children’s privacy. while giving parents visibility into their children’s online activity.

“As for balancing other social issues, I don’t think private companies should make all the decisions on their own,” he wrote. “This is why we have been advocating for updated Internet regulations for several years. “