Friend,

The news about Facebook just keeps getting worse. Late Friday, a new whistleblower came forward to provide further proof that the company allows hate and disinformation to spread unchecked. And over the weekend, at least 17 news outlets — including the Associated Press, The New York Times and NPR — released new reporting exposing Facebook's failures to protect democratic elections and keep communities safe.

It's clearer than ever that Facebook is not fit to govern itself. Urge Congress and the Biden administration to hold the company accountable for its many harms.

Thanks!

Rose

Friend,

Last night, The Washington Post broke the news that another Facebook whistleblower has come forward.¹ These latest whistleblower revelations confirm what many of us have been sounding the alarm about for years: Facebook is not fit to govern itself. Sign our petition demanding that Congress and the Biden administration hold the platform accountable.

Here are the highlights: The whistleblower was once on Facebook’s now-disbanded civic-integrity team. Their affidavit reinforces Frances Haugen’s testimony, alleging that Facebook higher-ups pursued profits at all costs and undermined attempts to stop the spread of hate and disinformation.

Moreover, they claim that Tucker Bounds, a Facebook communications official, said that the news that Russia had used social media and other tools to interfere in the 2016 election was just “a flash in the pan. Some legislators will get pissy. And then in a few weeks they will move onto something else. Meanwhile we are printing money in the basement, and we are fine.”

It’s clear that Facebook doesn’t care about its users’ data or wellbeing, . But we won’t just “move onto something else.” Sign our petition demanding that Congress and the Biden administration hold Facebook accountable.

The mounting evidence is damning: When Facebook has to choose between people and profits, it always prioritizes its bottom line. This matters for our children, our health and our democracy. That's why we're demanding that Congress and the Biden administration hold the platform accountable — but we need you in this fight to make a difference.

Let’s be clear: Government regulation isn’t the only way to pressure social-media companies like Facebook. But in the absence of real action from Facebook, government regulation is what we need right now. And Free Press Action has real policy solutions that would make a real difference in the fight against online hate and disinformation.

It’s past time for policymakers in Washington to confront the hate-and-lie-for-profit business model of tech platforms. Policymakers must stop allowing companies like Facebook to operate unchecked. Sign our petition to hold Facebook accountable today — for our kids and for our future.

It’s an honor to be in this fight alongside you—

Rose and the rest of the Free Press Action team
freepress.net

P.S. Last night, the latest Facebook whistleblower confirmed what we already know: When the platform is forced to choose between people and profits, it’ll always choose its bottom line. It’s clear that we need to keep applying pressure tactics directly on the company — and on policymakers in Washington. Sign our petition demanding that Congress and the Biden administration hold the platform accountable.

1. “New Whistleblower Claims Facebook Allowed Hate, Illegal Activity to Go Unchecked,” The Washington Post, Oct. 22, 2021