Former exec Frances Haugen says the company knows that its algorithms promote misinformation and divisive comments, and does nothing about it.Photo: AFP
TeeRoy's 2 Cents:
Facebook is raking in billions of dollars. They need to hire a lot more people to keep an eye on content.
It's really easy to find misinformation and divisive content. Facebook is either lying or delusional if they think they're doing anything meaningful about it.
I know someone who got suspended after posting a link about COVID from a mainstream news source, yet people post these "it's not vaccine" memes all the time and crickets.
Also, I'm tired of seeing the same 25 people in my feed over and over.
I read about this whistleblower when my friend posted a link on Facebook.
Are you tired of all the misinformation and divisive content on Facebook? Apparently, Facebook isn't.
In a much-hyped "whistleblower" interview on 60 Minutes Sunday, former exec Frances Haugen said that the social media giant knows its algorithms promote that kind of material -- and isn't doing anything about it. She said, "When you have a system that you know can be hacked with anger, it's easier to provoke people into anger. And publishers are saying, 'Oh, if I do more angry, polarizing, divisive content, I get more money.' Facebook has set up a system of incentives that is pulling people apart."
Haugen specifically points to the January 6th riot at the Capitol, noting that extremists used the platform to organize and publicize their efforts.
Facebook responded to the allegations. Spokesperson Lena Pietsch said in a written statement to 60 Minutes, "Every day our teams have to balance protecting the right of billions of people to express themselves openly with the need to keep our platform a safe and positive place. We continue to make significant improvements to tackle the spread of misinformation and harmful content. To suggest we encourage bad content and do nothing is just not true."