In a 2019 speech at Georgetown University, Mark Zuckerberg stated that Facebook was created as a platform for “free expression.” However, a new book by former Facebook director of global policy, Sarah Wynn-Williams, paints a different picture. The book, titled Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, was released on March 11 and contains allegations about Facebook executives, including Zuckerberg and former COO Sheryl Sandberg.
Among the claims in the book are accounts of Sandberg allegedly making her assistant purchase $13,000 worth of lingerie and taking the only bed on a flight home from Davos. Wynn-Williams also recounts inappropriate behavior by Joel Kaplan, then vice president of global policy, including making suggestive comments. Wynn-Williams reported Kaplan for sexual harassment, but Meta stated that an investigation cleared him.
The book also highlights Facebook’s alleged attempts to enter the Chinese market under Zuckerberg’s leadership, reportedly willing to comply with strict censorship rules and even planning to employ a “chief editor” to remove unacceptable posts and share user data with the Chinese government. Meta disputes these claims, stating they are outdated and previously reported.
Meta has taken legal action against Wynn-Williams, arguing she violated a nondisparagement agreement. An arbitrator ruled in Meta’s favor, ordering Wynn-Williams to stop promoting the book and making further critical comments. Despite this, the book remains on sale through its publisher, Flatiron Books.
— news from Vox.com