Zuck after reading the Facebook Files (Source: Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images)
“The X-Files” was a ‘90s paranormal sci-fi TV show that often sent chills down viewers’ spines.
The Facebook Files is a 5-part investigation by The Wall Street Journal that is probably sending chills down the social network’s spine.
Based on leaked internal documents…
… WSJ concludes that “Facebook Inc. knows, in acute detail, that its platforms are riddled with flaws that cause harm.”
Per the findings, Facebook:
- Allows VIP users exemptions from its standards (including allowing some to post content that can incite violence)
- Knows that Instagram is bad for teen girls, causing body image issues among other problems
- Has allowed its user base to get “angrier” all in the name of engagement
- Knew human traffickers and drug cartels were abusing the platform, but didn’t adequately respond
- Was unable to stop the spread of vaccine misinformation
Facebook says it’s working to fix the issues
But what’s concerning is that many of these documents were from years past. Has the situation gotten worse?
Facebook’s official response states the WSJ report contains “deliberate mischaracterizations” and confers “egregiously false motives” to its execs.
After a long hiatus, “The X-Files” series was briefly rebooted. Odds are that Zuck & Co. aren’t looking for another round of the Facebook Files.
