**Meta’s Cultural Challenges: Insights from “Careless People,” by Sarah Wynn-Williams**
Meta, the company formerly known as Facebook, is once again under scrutiny as former employee Sarah Wynn-Williams raises alarm about its corporate culture through her newly released book, “Careless People.” The publication takes a critical look at her six-year tenure at Meta and highlights various controversial events, suggesting that the company’s relentless pursuit of growth has resulted in significant offline harm, particularly concerning its influence on global events.
Wynn-Williams’s text touches on pivotal moments in Meta’s history, including the role of the platform in exacerbating political violence during the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar. It also examines the company’s involvement in Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, as well as key figures in the organization, such as CEO Mark Zuckerberg, former COO Sheryl Sandberg, and current Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan.
Having joined Facebook in 2011 after a diplomatic career in Washington, DC, Wynn-Williams ascended to the position of director of global public policy. However, she was dismissed in 2017 under contentious circumstances. The company claimed that her termination followed an investigation into “unfounded” allegations that she had made, while Wynn-Williams hints at retaliation for reporting sexual harassment during her employment.
In light of the book’s allegations, Meta has vehemently defended itself. A spokesperson described Wynn-Williams as an activist and claimed her account is filled with outdated and false assertions targeting executives. They stated that she was dismissed due to poor performance and misleading claims about harassment. This dismissal of her allegations sheds light on the broader narrative of whistleblowing at Meta, where several ex-employees have pointed fingers at its leadership and practices.
For instance, in 2021, Frances Haugen, another former employee, exposed internal documents that implicated Meta in multiple failures, including its handling of human trafficking and the safety of young users. Similarly, data scientist Sophie Zhang asserted that the company inadequately addressed hate speech and misinformation.
More recently, in 2023, Arturo Bejar, formerly an engineering director, testified before Congress, asserting that Meta perpetuates a culture of avoidance regarding known harms inflicted by its platforms. He criticized Zuckerberg for ignoring red flags about the detrimental effects of platforms like Instagram on teenagers.
Despite Meta’s denials of these claims, the perceptions of a profit-centric priority remain prevalent. In response to Wynn-Williams’s disclosures, the company has made allegations of harassment and misconduct against Kaplan, as detailed in her book. These claims include a disturbing narrative where Kaplan purportedly harassed Wynn-Williams, even during her maternity leave, on sensitive subjects, raising concerns about the company’s internal culture concerning gender dynamics.
Moreover, Wynn-Williams recounts her experiences in Myanmar during Facebook’s early attempts to penetrate that market, highlighting a significant oversight on Meta’s part. The company later recognized its role in facilitating political strife during the Rohingya genocide, admitting a lack of preventive measures.
In efforts to grow and penetrate international markets, the book reveals that during a push for access to China, Zuckerberg expressed openness to engaging with the Chinese government, which was counter to the company’s claims of standing firm against censorship. This tension between corporate growth and ethical practices continues to frame the discussion surrounding Meta’s operations.
As Wynn-Williams argues in her book, a failure to confront past issues could lead to repeating significant mistakes. While Meta continues to position itself as a leader in upcoming technologies, including artificial intelligence, the implications of its historical culture and practices could haunt its future.
The ongoing conversation and resultant scrutiny from Wynn-Williams’s book will likely keep Meta in the sights of regulatory bodies, as lawmakers worldwide demand accountability and regulation of tech giants. The ramifications of these allegations underscore a significant disconnect between Meta’s corporate ambitions and the ethical responsibilities that accompany its influence on society. The narrative, as woven by Wynn-Williams, stands as an urgent reflection on the need for reform in tech culture.
