Current:Home > NewsFacebook whistleblower Francis Haugen: No accountability for privacy features implemented to protect young people -FutureFinance
Facebook whistleblower Francis Haugen: No accountability for privacy features implemented to protect young people
View
Date:2025-04-14 06:22:14
Former Facebook data scientist Francis Haugen anonymously leaked thousands of pages of research in 2021, revealing potential risks linked to the company's algorithms. Haugen later disclosed her identity on "60 Minutes."
Her revelations shed light on the dark side of social media algorithms and emphasized the urgent need for transparency and accountability in the industry. Haugen's new book, "The Power of One: How I Found the Strength to Tell the Truth and Why I Blew the Whistle on Facebook," highlights the importance of addressing the lack of accountability in the powerful but opaque social media industry.
Haugen's book release earlier this month came just weeks after U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy warned about the detrimental effects of social media on young people's mental health.
Meta declined to comment on Haugen's memoir or the surgeon general's advisory but provided CBS News with a list of tools and privacy features they've implemented to protect young people, including age verification technology to ensure that teenagers have age-appropriate experiences on the platform. The company also said it automatically sets teens accounts to private and implemented measures to prevent unwanted interactions with unknown adults.
However, Haugen said some features were already in progress before her revelations, and their effectiveness remains unaccountable.
"Those features, we don't have any accountability on them, like, researchers don't get to study the effectiveness. Facebook just gets to use them as PR marketing stunts," she said.
She criticized Facebook for preventing researchers from studying its operations and even resorting to legal action against those who exposed the truth.
"They've sued researchers who caught them with egg on their face. Companies that are opaque can cut corners at the public expense and there's no consequences," she said.
As concerned parents struggle to monitor their children's social media usage, Haugen called for action through elected representatives. She said pending legislation, such as the Platform Accountability and Transparency Act, is working to protect children's privacy online but that more needs to be done.
"You know, we haven't updated our privacy laws for kids online since the 90s. Like, think of how much the internet has changed since then," she said. "You can do a lot as a parent. But these companies have hundreds of employees that are trying to make their apps stickier. You're fighting an impossible fight."
- In:
- Meta
veryGood! (62)
Related
- Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump
- The 11 most fascinating 2024 NFL draft prospects: Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy drive intrigue
- 'Where Is Wendy Williams?': The biggest bombshells from Lifetime's documentary
- ‘The Bear,’ ‘Spider-Verse’ among the early winners at Producers Guild awards
- 2025 'Doomsday Clock': This is how close we are to self
- Warm weather brings brings a taste of spring to central and western United States
- Vin Diesel to stay with 'Fast and Furious' franchise after sexual assault lawsuit
- Atlanta Hawks All-STar Trae Young to have finger surgery, out at least four weeks
- Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
- Climate change may cause crisis amid important insect populations, researchers say
Ranking
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Soldier surprises younger brother at school after 3 years overseas
- SAG Awards 2024 Red Carpet Fashion: See Every Look As the Stars Arrive
- The 11 most fascinating 2024 NFL draft prospects: Drake Maye, J.J. McCarthy drive intrigue
- Whoopi Goldberg is delightfully vile as Miss Hannigan in ‘Annie’ stage return
- In light of the Alabama court ruling, a look at the science of IVF
- Alpha Artificial Intelligence AI4.0 - Destined to be a Revolutionary Tool in the Investment World
- Duke's Kyle Filipowski injured in court storming after Wake Forest upset: 'Needs to stop'
Recommendation
What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
This Modern Family Reunion at the 2024 SAG Awards Will Fill Your Heart
Men's March Madness bubble winners and losers: Wake Forest picks up major tournament boost
Chemours and DuPont Knew About Risks But Kept Making Toxic PFAS Chemicals, UN Human Rights Advisors Conclude
Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
What recession? Professional forecasters raise expectations for US economy in 2024
3 killed in Ohio small plane crash identified as father, son and family friend heading to Florida
Oppenheimer wins top prize at Screen Actors Guild Awards