Summary

The social media giant, Facebook, has come under increased scrutiny in recent years, particularly from regulators, due to its involvement in the Cambridge Analytica scandal, its role in the polarization of society, and its mismanagement of user data and privacy. These factors have combined to place Facebook at the center of conversation around regulating ‘big tech’, with concerns rising that an increasing number of firms are too large to regulate properly.

Key Highlights

Facebook has conducted internal research which has illustrated the adverse impacts of its social media sites, particularly on teens. While Facebook has disputed the interpretation and significance of the research, the company has paused work on its ‘Instagram Kids’ app, a social media website aimed at 10-12-year-olds. Other leaked documents implicate Facebook as a consistent aggravator of tensions, particularly in lesser developed nations and societies. Whistle-blower Frances Haugen has claimed that Facebook’s algorithm is designed to show users content that is likely ha...