Today’s Senate hearing with Facebook Global Head of Safety Director Antigone Davis went as these things usually go, but senators on both sides of the aisle were uncharacteristically united in their derision for Facebook.
Facebook’s safety chief on Thursday insisted to a Senate panel that the Wall Street Journal’s recent reporting is “not a bombshell,” but senators clearly disagreed, with one Massachusetts Democrat likening Facebook and Instagram to Big Tobacco. The Journal published stories based on Facebook research slides decks, as well as interviews with current and former employees of the social network. Among other things, they suggested that Facebook gives VIP users special treatment, and failed to take serious action on data that showed social media use exacerbating mental health issues like depression and eating disorders among younger users. At the hearing before a Senate Commerce subcommittee today, Facebook Global Head of Safety Director Antigone Davis reiterated that the social network believes the Journal mischaracterized Facebook’s research. But she also demonstrated a clear disconnect between Facebook’s official policies and what’s actually happening on its services.
