Mark Zuckerberg’s decade-long efforts to enter the Chinese market, where Facebook remains banned, have been under scrutiny following a whistleblower report. Allegations suggest that Zuckerberg and Meta considered controversial tactics, including implementing a censorship system and sharing user data, to achieve this goal.
The whistleblower, Sarah Wynn-Williams, filed a comprehensive 78-page complaint with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This report contains serious allegations that Facebook contemplated granting the Chinese government control over content censorship and suppression of dissent. It also indicates Meta’s willingness to share user data with Chinese authorities.
According to the complaint, Walmart reportedly developed a censorship tool in 2015 that would enable the removal of content or the suspension of services during periods of “social unrest.” Wynn-Williams, who was dismissed in 2017 from her role focusing on China policy, claims that the complaint includes internal Meta documents that support her allegations.
The complaint further claims that Facebook faced pressure to store the data of Chinese users within China, potentially facilitating governmental access to this information. Additionally, there were reports that Meta considered lowering privacy standards for users in Hong Kong to satisfy China’s demands.
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Some aspects of these revelations were previously known. Facebook was compelled to address its China-focused censorship tool after anonymous employees alerted the media about its existence in 2015. Although Meta did not deny the tool’s existence, it claimed it had never been utilized. At the time, Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg stated that the company was “studying the Chinese market” and would assess future possibilities. Reports indicate that Facebook ultimately ceased its attempts to enter the Chinese market in 2019.
The recent disclosures regarding data sharing with China are new yet align with Meta’s historical issues regarding user data management, notably during the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The company has faced scrutiny for its questionable handling of user data, including previously analyzing user information across other platforms to better understand user behavior.
Currently, the prospect of sharing data with China appears to be off the table. In line with recent developments, Zuckerberg seems focused on potentially replacing TikTok if the platform is banned or sold in the near future, as conversations around TikTok’s future remain ongoing.
