Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen testified before the US Congress on Tuesday, telling lawmakers that the social media giant was aware its apps were harming the mental health of some young users. Here are some comments from the committee’s hearing:
Francis Haugen, Facebook whistleblower
“I am here today because I believe” of facebook The products harm children, promote division and undermine our democracy.”
“At present there is no Mark (Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook) on the account. The buck stops with Mark.”
“Yesterday we saw Facebook being taken off the Internet. I don’t know why it went down, but I do know that for more than five hours, Facebook has been used to deepen divisions, destabilize democracy, and kill young girls and women.” Wasn’t done to make him feel bad. His body.”
“The company’s leadership knows how to make Facebook and Instagram secure, but they won’t make the necessary changes because they put their astronomical advantage before the people.”
US Senator Dan Sullivan, Republican from Alaska
“I think we’re going to look back 20 years from now and we’re all going to be like ‘what were we thinking’ when we recognize the damage this (social media) has done to a generation “
US Senator Edward Markey, Democrat from Massachusetts
“Your (Facebook) time to invade our privacy and victimize children is over. Congress will take action.”
Kevin McAllister, Facebook spokesman, in an email
“The existence of internal research on difficult and complex issues is being re-framed as an example that Facebook is not fulfilling its responsibilities. The opposite is true: this research is more evidence that we invest heavily so that our The team can improve our apps and the resources we provide.”
US Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat from Minnesota
“When they let 99 percent of violent content go unchecked on their platform, including the ones leading up to the January 6 uprising, what did they do? Now we know Mark Zuckerberg was sailing.”
US Senator Roger Wicker, Republican from Mississippi
“America’s kids are sticking to their product. There’s the cynical knowledge on the part of these big tech companies that it’s true.”
US Senator Marsha Blackburn, Republican from Tennessee
“The research was Facebook’s internal research. So they knew what they were doing, they knew where the breaches were and they knew they were to blame.”
“Facebook is not interested in making significant changes to improve the safety of children on its platform, at least not if it would result in blinding posts or reducing their advertising revenue.”
US Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat from Connecticut
“The selfishness and damage to self-worth done by Facebook today will haunt a generation.”
“Big Tech is now facing Big Tobacco’s jaw-dropping moment of truth.”
“We have children who are victims. Today’s teens feel doubts and insecurities when looking in the mirror. Mark Zuckerberg should look at himself in the mirror.”
© Thomson Reuters 2021
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