Mark Zuckerberg Fires Back at Facebook Whistleblower's Claims: 'Deeply Illogical'

The Facebook CEO says a former employee's allegations about the company's disregard for the safety of users is unfounded.

learn more about Entrepreneur Staff

By Entrepreneur Staff

Mark Zuckerberg broke his silence about whistleblower Frances Haugen's allegations that the company put profits over the safety of Facebook and Instagram users. In a lengthy Facebook post, he wrote in part, "At the heart of these accusations is this idea that we prioritize profit over safety and well-being," Zuckerberg wrote. "That's just not true... The argument that we deliberately push content that makes people angry for profit is deeply illogical. We make money from ads, and advertisers consistently tell us they don't want their ads next to harmful or angry content."

Related: Mark Zuckerberg Loses $ 7 Billion After WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram Fail

In his post, Zuckerberg says that the "Meaningful Social Interactions change to News Feed" is proof that the company values safety over profits. He said that the change, which serves fewer viral videos in favor of content from friends and family, has resulted in users spending less time on the platform, but was made anyway because "research suggested it was the right thing to do for people's well-being."

In an emotional opening statement to the Senate Commerce Committee's consumer protection subcommittee on Tuesday, former product manager Haugen said that "Facebook's products harm children, stoke division and weaken our democracy." She alleged that Zuckerberg and company leaders know "how to make Facebook and Instagram safer" but have done anything "because they have put their astronomical profits before people."

Entrepreneur Staff

Entrepreneur Staff

Editor

Related Topics

Editor's Pick

Everyone Wants to Get Close to Their Favorite Artist. Here's the Technology Making It a Reality — But Better.
The Highest-Paid, Highest-Profile People in Every Field Know This Communication Strategy
After Early Rejection From Publishers, This Author Self-Published Her Book and Sold More Than 500,000 Copies. Here's How She Did It.
Having Trouble Speaking Up in Meetings? Try This Strategy.
He Names Brands for Amazon, Meta and Forever 21, and Says This Is the Big Blank Space in the Naming Game
Business News

These Are the Most and Least Affordable Places to Retire in The U.S.

The Northeast and West Coast are the least affordable, while areas in the Mountain State region tend to be ideal for retirees on a budget.

Business News

I Live on a Cruise Ship for Half of the Year. Look Inside My 336-Square-Foot Cabin with Wraparound Balcony.

I live on a cruise ship with my husband, who works on it, for six months out of the year. Life at "home" can be tight. Here's what it's really like living on a cruise ship.

Career

Thinking of a Career Change? Here Are 4 Steps You Can Take To Get There.

Author Joanne Lipman on what experience and science tell us about successful job pivots.

Business News

A Mississippi News Anchor Is Under Fire for Quoting Snoop Dogg

WLBT's Barbara Bassett used the rapper's "fo shizzle" phrase during a live broadcast, causing the station to let her go.