The Facebook Scandal: A Closer Look

Contents:

• VIP users are protected from moderation
• Instagram* is dangerous for the psyche of teenagers, and Facebook** hid it
• Facebook* algorithms are tearing society apart
• FB is a playground for criminals in third world countries
• An insider from the "civic decency" group
• "Accusations without meaning." How Facebook protects itself*
• Mainstream science has been talking about the dangers of social networks for ten years
• What's next?

In September 2021, The Wall Street Journal released a series of articles known as the Facebook Papers. These materials are based on an extensive archive of internal Facebook documentation, which was shared with journalists by an insider. The articles highlight important aspects of Facebook's operations and raise questions about the platform's impact on society and users.

The investigation found that Facebook and Instagram algorithms pose a threat to political systems and the mental health of adolescents. It also found that platform moderators often ignore prohibited content when it is shared by a prominent figure. Journalists accuse the company of being aware of these problems but failing to take the necessary steps to address them.

In this article, we discuss the key allegations made against the social network and examine its official responses to these claims. In addition, we will analyze possible scenarios for the development of the situation in the future.

• Accusation #1: VIP users are protected from moderation
• Accusation #2: Instagram* is dangerous for the mental health of teenagers
• Accusation #3: Facebook* algorithms lead to polarization
• Accusation #4: Criminals use FB for their own purposes
• Insider: Where do journalists get the documents?
• What did Facebook* respond to?
• Psychologists have long warned about the dangers of social networks
• What's next?

VIP users are protected from moderation

Mark Zuckerberg, the head of Facebook, claims that all users of the platform are equal. However, as the Wall Street Journal reports, citing internal company documents, Facebook has a special moderation system designed for VIP users. This system protects millions of accounts, creating an uneven playing field between regular users and privileged accounts.

The "cross check" (XCheck) system provides a higher level of oversight for certain accounts. In practice, it protects millions of VIP users from sanctions that could be applied to regular accounts for similar violations. This preserves the reputation and activity of users with special status and ensures that their content is not subject to unjustified restrictions.

If a regular user posts prohibited content, the social network immediately blocks such materials. If a whitelisted account posts similar content, the system merely flags it, and moderators make a decision about further removal within a certain period of time. According to the WSJ, in 2020, between the time the system flagged prohibited content and its actual removal, such posts were viewed 16 billion times. This highlights the importance of effective moderation and rapid response to violations to minimize the spread of unwanted information.

XCheck gives users the ability to circumvent the platform's established rules. This includes posting content that may contain incitement to violence or material that defames victims of sexual harassment. In 2019, footballer Neymar posted a naked photo of a woman who had previously accused him of rape. Although Facebook removed the photo, it had already been seen by millions of Neymar's fans. This event was made possible by Neymar being whitelisted as a VIP user, raising questions about the fairness and transparency of the platform's content moderation rules.

Whitelisted accounts have the ability to spread claims that would be deemed false by moderators if they came from other users. These include allegations about the deadly dangers of vaccines, theories about a pedophile lobby supposedly protecting Hillary Clinton, and Donald Trump's comments referring to refugees as "animals." Such practices raise questions about equality in content moderation and how different accounts can influence public opinion. Despite numerous scandals related to the XCheck system, the social network continues to expand its user whitelist. As of 2021, it includes six million celebrities from around the world. According to information published in the Wall Street Journal, Facebook management is misleading both shareholders and the Oversight Board, which is responsible for overseeing the company's activities. This situation raises questions about the platform's transparency and accountability, as well as how effectively it fulfills its commitment to fairness and equality for all users.

Instagram* Is Harmful to Teens, and Facebook** Was Hiding It

Facebook's internal research, conducted between 2019 and 2021, found that Instagram may be negatively impacting the mental health of teenagers. The social network's aggressive recommendation algorithms are creating a distorted perception of reality and inflated beauty standards in young users. This leads to serious consequences such as eating disorders, increased anxiety, and depression. It is important to pay attention to the impact of social media on young people and to be aware of the potential risks associated with its use.

In a study of American and British teenagers, more than 40% of social media users reported feelings of unattractiveness after using Instagram. 25% of respondents noted that they felt uncomfortable with the influence of this platform. These issues are particularly acute among teenage girls, who tend to be critical of their appearance, but these difficulties also affect boys. Social media, particularly Instagram, can negatively impact the self-esteem of young people, highlighting the importance of discussing these issues and finding solutions to improve their psychological well-being.

Teenagers often perceive Instagram as an indicator of their popularity and social significance. The number of followers and likes on their accounts becomes a kind of ranking that influences self-esteem and social self-perception.

Facebook attempted to address this issue by hiding the ability to view Instagram likes, but this step proved ineffective. As the WSJ reports, the company's management downplays the significance of such research in public statements. This highlights the ongoing debate about the impact of social media on users' mental health and the importance of transparency in how people interact with content.

A separate Wall Street Journal article highlights Facebook's long-term strategy to develop products for users under 13, such as Instagram Kids and Messenger Kids. The social network continues this initiative despite recognizing the potential risks and dangers associated with teens using its platforms.

Facebook* algorithms are tearing society apart

Since 2009, the social network has been actively developing a smart feed that displays content to users that matches their interests. In 2018, significant changes occurred, as mentioned in the WSJ materials. The new version of the feed focused on showing information from friends and family, replacing professional news content. This was done to support so-called "meaningful social interactions," according to Facebook.

Changes made in 2018 led to the discovery feed algorithm now promoting content that generates the longest comment threads. As a result, this has influenced the spread of scandalous, controversial, and provocative posts. According to the WSJ, this algorithm not only increased the number of disputes in comments but also negatively impacted the behavior of political parties in various countries.

The article examines political parties from Poland, Spain, Taiwan, and India. To increase their popularity on Facebook, they have begun to use a more aggressive and emotional approach, as well as more actively deploying hate speech. This behavior underscores the potential of the American social network to fuel political conflicts not only in the United States but also in other countries. Such changes in party communication can negatively impact the public climate and exacerbate political tensions.

Documents obtained by the WSJ editorial team indicate that the change in the recommendation system had another important reason. In 2017, the social network recorded a decline in user activity across all key metrics. As a result of the analysis, the company came to the conclusion that the loss of interest was caused by the use of recommendation algorithms that promoted high-quality, but not sufficiently engaging, professional content from news outlets.

According to the research of social media expert Jennifer Grygiel, changes in Facebook's algorithms began as early as 2015. These changes had a significant impact on the distribution of traffic, shifting it from authoritative media outlets to user-generated content. As a result of this redistribution, fake news gained the opportunity to attract more attention and traffic, which became a significant problem for the information ecosystem. Such transformations in social media algorithms highlight the need for a critical approach to the information consumed by users.

FB - a playground for criminals in third world countries

Facebook devotes significant resources to content moderation, but does so unevenly. According to internal documents, only 13% of moderation efforts are directed to countries outside the United States. At the same time, American users make up only 11% of the social network's total audience. This highlights the disparity in the approach to moderation, raising questions about the fairness and effectiveness of content management on the platform.

Selective moderation on Facebook and Instagram creates favorable conditions for criminal groups in developing countries. For example, the Mexican drug cartel Jalisco New Generation used Facebook to recruit hitmen by posting ads on its pages. Instagram, meanwhile, actively posted photos of weapons and videos of crimes. Middle Eastern human traffickers also used social media to attract potential victims, such as African women, by promising them jobs as cleaners. Furthermore, pages associated with the Ethiopian regime were used to incite ethnic violence against the Tigray people. These examples demonstrate how inadequate content moderation can contribute to the spread of criminal activity and violence in society.

After the issue became known, Facebook announced plans to more actively remove dangerous content, but the company's algorithms were not reviewed. A mechanism designed to combat human trafficking was operational for only three months before it was disabled. This highlights the need for more effective solutions to combat the spread of dangerous content on the platform.

One challenge the company faces is its limited language capabilities. For example, for some languages, such as Ethiopian minority languages, Facebook lacks both algorithms and moderators. There are also a number of difficulties with more widely spoken languages. In particular, most of the moderators on Facebook's Arabic-language segment are Moroccan, and this can lead to problems understanding various Arabic dialects. Improving language support is an important step to improving the user experience and ensuring more effective content moderation.

Facebook failed to adequately support vaccination, despite Mark Zuckerberg being a proponent. Every post about vaccination was accompanied by numerous comments from opponents of the topic, which, according to journalists, misled users. It is important for social networks to take active measures to combat misinformation and promote the dissemination of scientifically sound data on vaccination, which will help increase public trust in medical advice.

Insider from the "civic decency" group

WSJ journalists received a wealth of information from a whistleblower, 37-year-old former Facebook employee Frances Hougen. From 2019 to 2021, she served as a product manager at the company, focusing on civic integrity. This unit of Facebook focused on election-related issues and was primarily responsible for combating disinformation. Hougen's information sheds light on the company's internal processes and its approach to content management in an election environment. Hougen is an expert in algorithmic product management and was heavily involved in creating the ranking mechanisms Facebook uses to organize the News Feed. She first presented her views on the topic in an interview with CBS News on October 3. Hougen stated that she came to Facebook with the goal of making the world a better place. However, after working at the company and getting to know it from the inside, she realized that Facebook was acting contrary to the public interest. Before leaving, she copied an archive of internal memos, reports, and other documents, which she then handed over to authorities and Wall Street Journal reporters.

Haugen claims the January 6, 2021, riots in Washington dealt a serious blow to Facebook. On that day, a group of Donald Trump supporters attempted to storm the Capitol, where the Senate was meeting to certify the presidential election results. Hougen noted that Facebook had activated its security systems to combat disinformation during the election, but disabled them immediately after voting concluded. As a result, the platform's algorithms were no longer functioning on the day of the Capitol assault. She described this decision as a "betrayal of democracy."

On Tuesday, October 5th, Frances Hougen testified before the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Child Online Protection. In her testimony, she emphasized the need to take action to ensure the safety of young people online. Hougen emphasized the importance of regulating content and platforms to minimize the risks children face online.

I am speaking to you today because I believe Facebook's products are harming children, fueling hate, and undermining our democracy. The company's leadership knows how to make Facebook and Instagram safer, yet it refuses to make the necessary changes, demonstrating that its profits are more important than the well-being of its users. This situation demands attention, as the safety of children and public health must be a priority for tech companies.

Frances Hougen delivers an important statement that draws attention to pressing issues in technology and its impact on society. Her remarks highlight the need for thoughtful use of digital platforms and the responsibility of their creators. Hougen focuses on issues of data privacy, information manipulation, and the impact of social media on users' mental health. She calls for stricter regulation and the ethical use of technology to protect user interests and ensure a safe digital space for all. These issues are increasingly important as technology continues to significantly influence everyday life and social relations. Hougen confirmed that the company recognized the negative impact of its algorithms on children, but instead of taking action, it continued to develop products for audiences under 13. The insider suggested viewing Facebook like a tobacco company, hiding information about the harm of its products from authorities. Social media has been compared to cigarettes, which are highly addictive to teenagers. This raises important questions about the safety and responsibility of technologies aimed at young people. The impact of algorithms on the mental health of children and adolescents must be addressed, as well as the need for strict regulations in this area.

"Accusations without meaning." How Facebook defends itself*

Zuckerberg's company has repeatedly found itself at the center of scandals. In September 2021, it became known that Facebook algorithms recommended "more videos of primates" to users viewing videos of Black men. This sparked public outrage, and the company's management apologized and made changes to the way its recommendation algorithms work. These events highlight the importance of ethics in technology development and the need for transparency in social media algorithms.

Facebook accused the media and insiders of misinterpreting the information. In a commentary on Haugen's first interview with the BBC, Facebook's Director of Political Communications Lena Peach noted that if the allegations are true, it would mean the company is ignoring feedback and neglecting the efforts of the 40,000 employees dedicated to security at Facebook. She also emphasized that the company has invested $13 billion in security since 2016.

Following the congressional hearing, Peach noted that Haugen held a low-level position within the company and emphasized that her authority as an insider did not cover the topics mentioned in the leaked documents. This argument was made by the speaker despite the fact that the WSJ investigation was based on documents, not Haugen's personal testimony.

Today, the committee held a hearing with a former Facebook product manager who worked at the company for less than two years and had no subordinates. He never attended meetings where senior management decisions were made. At least six instances were recorded during the hearing where a witness claimed not to have worked on the issues discussed.

Lena Peach, Facebook's director of political communications, plays a key role in shaping the company's engagement strategies with political institutions and the public. Her work focuses on creating effective communications strategies aimed at building user trust in the platform. Peach is actively involved in discussions regarding social media regulation and its impact on democratic processes. Her expertise in political communications helps Facebook adapt to the rapidly changing media landscape and address challenges related to disinformation and data protection.

Zuckerberg commented on the hearing, calling the accusations against Facebook nonsensical. He noted that if the company intended to ignore scientific evidence, it would not have funded a leading research program in this area. Moreover, Zuckerberg emphasized that if Facebook weren't committed to combating harmful content, it wouldn't hire more employees for this purpose than any other social network.

The notion that we knowingly distribute content that angers people for financial gain is highly illogical. Our revenue depends on advertising, and advertisers constantly emphasize that they don't want to see their ads next to negative or provocative content. I don't know of any tech company that would seek to create products that could cause aggression or depression in people.

Mark Zuckerberg, the founder and CEO of Facebook, is one of the most influential figures in the world of technology and social media. Under his leadership, Facebook has become one of the largest platforms for communication and information sharing in the world. Zuckerberg began his programming career at a young age and, while still in college, created Facebook, which was originally conceived as a social network for Harvard students. Thanks to his vision and innovation, Facebook has rapidly expanded and reached users worldwide. Zuckerberg is actively involved in the development of new technologies such as virtual reality and artificial intelligence, making him a key figure in the future of digital communications. Under his leadership, Facebook continues to adapt to changing user and market demands, striving to ensure the security and privacy of its users' data. Here are additional arguments from the Facebook founder: Algorithm changes have benefited users, as proven by research; Facebook* conducts numerous studies, but the leaked materials were taken out of context. They were used to create a picture that distorts the corporation's activities;

Representatives of the social network also expressed their position. Chief Security Officer Nathaniel Gleicher emphasized that the platform actively monitors and prevents cases of user harassment on the internet. The social network is constantly working to stop cyberespionage and protect its audience from threats.

Nick Clegg, Facebook's vice president of international relations and a member of the British Parliament, acknowledged the shortcomings of the XCheck system. He proposed that the Facebook Oversight Board develop recommendations for its improvement.

Mainstream science has been talking about the dangers of social networks for ten years.

In the 2010s, social scientists, in particular psychologists, repeatedly raised the issue of the negative impact of social networks on the mental health of users and the growth of aggression in political discussions. Facebook's internal research confirmed these alarming findings, pointing to problems with the platform's use.

Over the past ten years, numerous studies have been published on the impact of social media on adolescent mental health. The main finding is that today's teenagers spend several hours a day on social media, leading to higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to previous generations. A correlation has been established between time spent on social media and an increased risk of depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and sleep disturbances. It is important to understand the consequences of excessive social media use and take steps to reduce them to maintain the mental health of young people.

The rate of depressive episodes and anxiety disorders among adolescents in the United States remained stable in the 1990s and 2000s. However, since 2011, there has been a sharp increase in these rates. For boys, the depression rate increased from 5% to 7%, while for girls, the increase was more significant—from 12% in 2011–12 to 20% in 2017. This trend raises serious concerns and highlights the need to address the mental health of adolescents. Students have seen a significant increase in mental health problems: the depression rate among girls increased from 6% to 14%, and among boys, from 2% to 7%. There has also been an increase in self-harm and suicide. American social psychologist Jonathan Haidt and his colleagues attribute this alarming trend to the influence of social media. Social media can negatively impact the mental health of young people, exacerbating feelings of loneliness and anxiety. src="//cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fembed%2FG9ofYEfewNE%3Ffeature%3Doembed&display_name=YouTube&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com% 2Fwatch%3Fv%3DG9ofYEfewNE&image=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FG9ofYEfewNE%2Fhqdefau lt.jpg&key=8d3909c69dfb4ee29c710191d8dd756a&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=youtube" width="854" height="480" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; fullscreen; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture;" allowfullscreen="true">

Psychologists identify several factors that affect mental health in the context of social media use. Social media cannot replace face-to-face communication, which leads to a deterioration in social skills in children. Teenagers begin to focus on unnatural patterns of interaction, which forms a habit of consuming information rather than exchanging opinions. This can negatively affect their emotional well-being and ability to establish trusting relationships.

Social media creates and reinforces unrealistic beauty standards, which contributes to increased anxiety and negative self-perception among teenagers, especially girls. These digital spaces are also home to widespread, unpunished bullying, which exacerbates self-esteem and mental health issues among younger generations.

What's Next?

According to expert Hougen, one of Facebook's main problems is the lack of transparency in its operating mechanisms. The insider suggests that Congress insist that Facebook provide regulators with the ability to deeply analyze the algorithms used on social networks. This research could help understand how content is formed and distributed, which, in turn, would improve platform regulation and protect users from potential manipulation.

The issue of regulating large tech companies and social networks remains relevant. We have already discussed how American and European politicians are seeking to establish control over Big Tech. One of the central demands is the need for transparency and accountability of algorithms. The key issue discussed by both lawmakers and representatives of large tech companies is the danger of transferring excessive power to government regulators. It's important to find a balance between protecting users' interests and preserving companies' freedom to innovate.

Facebook's Vice President of Global Affairs, Nick Clegg, announced the company's willingness to provide authorities with access to its algorithms. This will allow users to compare the system's intended operation with its actual actions. Openness and transparency in its algorithms will help improve trust in the platform and provide a clearer understanding of its operations by the public and regulators.

At the Congressional meeting, lawmakers considered a number of important measures. The discussion focused on pressing issues requiring attention and solutions. Participants emphasized the need to pass new legislation that could positively impact the social and economic situation in the country. Furthermore, the discussion identified key issues requiring immediate intervention and proposed possible solutions. Lawmakers also exchanged views on issues related to improving legislation and increasing its effectiveness.

• repealing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which relieves social networks of liability for the content published by users;
• adopting a national privacy and data protection act;
• adopting a law to strengthen the protection of children on the internet.

Discussions around proposals to separate Instagram and Facebook continue amid antitrust lawsuits. Haugen expressed the opinion that this measure will not be able to solve the existing problems.

The Republican and Democratic parties may unite to develop measures to regulate Facebook. During Haugen's speech in Congress, Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas called on his Democratic colleague Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut to put partisan differences aside. Their goal is to make Facebook more accountable and transparent. Blumenthal supported this initiative, which opens the possibility of bipartisan collaboration in the area of ​​social media regulation.

Facebook may take internal measures to prevent scandals and information leaks. On October 14, The New York Times reported that the company notified its employees that access to critical internal materials would be restricted. These steps are aimed at improving data security and protecting corporate information from potential threats.

American lawmakers, government officials, and justice officials are leveling a number of charges against tech companies. These corporations have monopolized the advertising and social media markets, often resorting to unfair practices, including squeezing out or acquiring competitors. Their unfettered power over public debate, which has largely shifted to social media, poses a threat to both society and the state. We have analyzed all these accusations in detail.