Once again, Meta is facing claims that its “growth-at-all-costs” approach has caused real-world harm.
New Book “Careless People” Published
Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former executive turned whistleblower, has published a book titled Careless People. It details her six years at Meta and highlights controversial moments in the company’s history.
Facebook’s Role in Global and Political Events
The book discusses Facebook’s involvement in political violence during the Rohingya genocide in Myanmar, for which the company admitted its failure to act. It also highlights Facebook’s role in Donald Trump’s 2016 election campaign and features key figures like CEO Mark Zuckerberg, former COO Sheryl Sandberg, and new Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan.
Wynn-Williams’ Journey at Meta
Wynn-Williams joined Facebook (now Meta) in 2011 after working as a diplomat for New Zealand in Washington, DC. She advanced to the role of director of global public policy but was fired in 2017. Meta claimed this was due to “unfounded” statements, while Wynn-Williams suggests it was retaliation for reporting sexual harassment.
Meta’s Response to Wynn-Williams’ Termination
Meta has strongly denied the allegations in the book. A spokesperson, Nkechi Nneji, labeled the book “outdated” and full of “false accusations” about company executives, calling Wynn-Williams an “activist.” The company stated that Wynn-Williams was fired eight years ago for “poor performance and toxic behavior.” They also accused her of working with anti-Facebook activists since her dismissal. Wynn-Williams is among several former employees who have raised concerns about Meta’s culture and leadership in recent years.
