Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Twitter
Xiaomi
Adani Group
Life Insurance Corporation of India
Stock Market
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / Business News / Facebook whistleblower testifies before Senate: Here are the key points
Business

Facebook whistleblower testifies before Senate: Here are the key points

Facebook whistleblower testifies before Senate: Here are the key points
Written by Chandraveer Mathur
Oct 06, 2021, 12:29 pm 3 min read
Facebook whistleblower testifies before Senate: Here are the key points
Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen testifies before Senate Committee

Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen made her identity known to all on Sunday night's episode of 60 Minutes. She had complained to the Securities and Exchange Commission about Facebook and leaked its internal research and documents to the Wall Street Journal. On Tuesday, Haugen testified before the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, highlighting the unhealthy effects of Facebook's algorithms. Here's everything she mentioned.

Quick refresher
Haugen was a product manager for Facebook's Civic Integrity Group

In case you aren't aware, Haugen was a product manager at Facebook's Civic Integrity Group. The group was dissolved after the 2020 US Presidential Election. She leaked Facebook's research about several subjects including how Instagram harms the mental health of teenagers. The matter was the subject of a Congressional hearing and Facebook eventually shelved the development of Instagram Kids.

Opening strong
In opening remarks, Haugen said Facebook's choices 'disastrous' for society

In her hearing before the Senate Committee, Haugen's opening argument set the tone for the session. "The choices being made inside Facebook are disastrous—for our children, for our public safety, for our privacy, and for our democracy—and that is why we must demand Facebook make changes," she said. Haugen also reiterated points about the Civic Integrity Group, misinformation, and international security.

Revelations
Here's why Facebook inevitably amplifies misinformation, toxic content

Haugen told the Committee that the algorithm changes Facebook rolled out in 2018 rewarded posts that generated meaningful social interactions and prioritized interaction (comments and likes) from those Facebook thinks are closest to you. She added that Facebook's artificial intelligence (AI) boosts content that elicits stronger reactions, amplifying misinformation, toxicity, and violence. She suggested chronological post ranking as a mitigant.

On, off, on
Facebook turned off safeguards that could prevent Capitol Hill protests

Addressing the election misinformation aspect, Haugen told the Senate Committee that Facebook put the Civic Integrity Group and other safeguards in place before the election because it knew it was "dangerous." However, "because they wanted that growth back after the election," they turned off the safeguards. Haugen said this was "deeply problematic." After the January 6 Capitol Hill events, Facebook switched safeguards on again.

Numbers game
With safeguards, Facebook could become more profitable in 10 years

Haugen emphasized that Facebook is currently being "led by metrics and not people." She urged the Committee to push Facebook to "move (away) from short-term-ism." She said that with appropriate oversight and some constraints, Facebook could become much more profitable five to 10 years later "because it wasn't as toxic and not as many people quit it."

Section 230
Companies can't control user-generated content, but they can control algorithms

Haugen told the Committee she strongly encourages reforming Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act that absolves social media platforms of liabilities arising from user-generated content. She said Section 230 should exempt decisions about algorithms so companies are liable for legal action if their algorithms are found to be harmful. Facebook shouldn't get a "free pass" on choices prioritizing growth over safety, she said.

In Zuck’s shoes
Haugen emphasized the need for immediate "soft interventions"

Interestingly, when questioned about what she would do in Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's shoes, Haugen said she would lay down policies for sharing information with oversight bodies including Congress. She would work with academicians to ensure they have ample information for research about the platform. In the short term, she would implement "soft interventions" to protect elections and curb the spread of misinformation.

Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Chandraveer Mathur
Chandraveer Mathur
Mail
I am a design engineer with a knack for all things related to tech, smartphones, photography, and automobiles. When I am not tinkering with gadgets, I enjoy books, CGI, a lovingly curated audio library, and therapeutic solo drives.
Latest
Facebook
Instagram
WhatsApp
Mark Zuckerberg
Social Media
Related
Latest
Petrol, diesel prices drop sharply after Centre cuts excise duty
Petrol, diesel prices drop sharply after Centre cuts excise duty Business
#DefamationTrial: Johnny Depp might testify as Amber Heard's witness today
#DefamationTrial: Johnny Depp might testify as Amber Heard's witness today Entertainment
COVID-19: India reports 2,022 fresh cases, 46 more deaths
COVID-19: India reports 2,022 fresh cases, 46 more deaths India
Rolls-Royce unveils second, super-exclusive Boat Tail with pearl-inspired paint
Rolls-Royce unveils second, super-exclusive Boat Tail with pearl-inspired paint Auto
Spending time in nature affects our food choices: Study
Spending time in nature affects our food choices: Study Lifestyle
Facebook
Bengal Ranji coach Arun Lal gets married to Bulbul Saha
Bengal Ranji coach Arun Lal gets married to Bulbul Saha Sports
Another woman accuses Vijay Babu of sexual assault: Details here
Another woman accuses Vijay Babu of sexual assault: Details here Entertainment
Vijay Babu booked for rape; breaks law by naming survivor
Vijay Babu booked for rape; breaks law by naming survivor Entertainment
Several YouTube channels, social media accounts blocked for anti-India content
Several YouTube channels, social media accounts blocked for anti-India content India
Sri Lanka economic crisis: Social media blocked as protests spread
Sri Lanka economic crisis: Social media blocked as protests spread World
More News
Instagram
Congratulations! Ed Sheeran, wife Cherry Seaborn welcome second daughter
Congratulations! Ed Sheeran, wife Cherry Seaborn welcome second daughter Entertainment
Britney Spears announces loss of 'miracle baby' after miscarriage
Britney Spears announces loss of 'miracle baby' after miscarriage Entertainment
'Bored of monotony,' Shilpa Shetty Kundra announces social media break
'Bored of monotony,' Shilpa Shetty Kundra announces social media break Entertainment
NFTs are coming soon to Instagram feed, stories, and messages
NFTs are coming soon to Instagram feed, stories, and messages Technology
Mike Hagerty, known for 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S' and 'Seinfeld', dies at 67
Mike Hagerty, known for 'F.R.I.E.N.D.S' and 'Seinfeld', dies at 67 Entertainment
More News
WhatsApp
WhatsApp gets emoji reactions and new Group Chat features
WhatsApp gets emoji reactions and new Group Chat features Technology
WhatsApp video scam claiming Rs. 25 lakh reward returns
WhatsApp video scam claiming Rs. 25 lakh reward returns Technology
WhatsApp Communities and other updates coming this year
WhatsApp Communities and other updates coming this year Technology
WhatsApp could soon let you create your own stickers
WhatsApp could soon let you create your own stickers Technology
WhatsApp introduces two new privacy-centric features for users in India
WhatsApp introduces two new privacy-centric features for users in India Technology
More News
Mark Zuckerberg
Zuckerberg responds to viral 'Icelandverse' video: Here's what he said
Zuckerberg responds to viral 'Icelandverse' video: Here's what he said Technology
Meta acquires makers of virtual reality fitness app 'Supernatural'
Meta acquires makers of virtual reality fitness app 'Supernatural' Business
First image of Meta's rumored smartwatch spotted in the wild
First image of Meta's rumored smartwatch spotted in the wild Technology
Here's how Facebook is proceeding to build its metaverse
Here's how Facebook is proceeding to build its metaverse Technology
Instagram testing new system to notify users of service outages
Instagram testing new system to notify users of service outages Technology
More News
Social Media
Elon Musk buys Twitter; Jameela Jamil will 'never tweet again'
Elon Musk buys Twitter; Jameela Jamil will 'never tweet again' Entertainment
Karnataka: 40 arrested, 12 injured in violence over online post
Karnataka: 40 arrested, 12 injured in violence over online post India
Avoid posting anti-government content on social media: TIFR to employees
Avoid posting anti-government content on social media: TIFR to employees India
BharatPe CEO Suhail Sameer apologizes for remarks on salary row
BharatPe CEO Suhail Sameer apologizes for remarks on salary row Business
Twitter is getting an edit button. Is it Musk effect?
Twitter is getting an edit button. Is it Musk effect? Technology
More News
Related
Did Facebook collude with the Election Commission of India?
Did Facebook collude with the Election Commission of India? Business
Is Facebook planning a name change? Reports suggest so
Is Facebook planning a name change? Reports suggest so Business
Whistleblower alleges RSS promotes fear, anti-Muslim narratives on Facebook
Whistleblower alleges RSS promotes fear, anti-Muslim narratives on Facebook Technology
Mark Zuckerberg lost $6 billion during Facebook outage: Details here
Mark Zuckerberg lost $6 billion during Facebook outage: Details here Business
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love Business news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

Business Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022