Thread by @jason_kint

I believe history will prove this org structure has caused more harm in the world than near anything in modern history. This BuzzFeed report is a must-read. /1 buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanma…

First, the report builds on previous reporting by @RMac18 @CraigSilverman and colleagues along with other news outlets including notably the WSJ who has covered the political influences at Facebook deeply both here and abroad. /2

Report also spends time on content policy team reporting thru lobbying executives. Zuckerberg in leaked transcripts has said who helped him w shooting and looting “mistake” and it matched this chart (Sandberg, Clegg, Bickert, Kaplan). New sources confirm problems here. /3

It’s worth noting @WillOremus has nailed this reporting by contrasting to Twitter who has publicly stated PR and Govt Relations not involved in these decisions. I think BuzzFeed report should have also noted board (especially Thiel) as influence has also been reported there. /4

My only other criticism frankly is Sandberg once again is overlooked. She sits at the nexus of policy, govt influence and business decisions but has not been tested - particularly in DC. She is in charge, too, and execs have proven to cover-up issues until FB is on fire. /5

Back to the amazing report, new context to me is Facebook turning up its News Ecosystem Quality to prioritize brands of higher integrity and trust in journalism at election but also again after Jan 6th. Just think about the power and effects of that dial. /6

NEQ is essentially what we pushed for in our 2016 letter to Zuckerberg. 5yrs ago!!! Using brands as proxies for trust. Slow spread of toxic sludge. In Australia, they’ve now done antithesis by eliminating all legit news for PR stunt to try to stop law threatening FB profits. /7

I know plenty will argue the real problem (🙋🏾‍♀️) is still Facebook’s core biz model of mining data across our lives to microtarget ads around content driving engagement. That’s true. But counter-speech is critical to speech, algorithmic amplification drives velocity and reach. /8

So when you see these reports of intervention to protect Jones’ ideas, it matters. Recall Zuckerberg told @karaswisher he thought Holocaust denial was protected expression. Then he didn’t. And in both cases he avoided much more important role of algorithmic amplification. /9

I emphasize again as difficult as censorship debate is for Facebook, his Georgetown speech and priorities are to keep it there. If it shifts towards algorithmic amplification (velocity/reach/microtargeting), it’s an existential risk to the company. He can defend censorship. /10

I think it’s only fair to also note a guy named Elliot Schrage was in the Kaplan box for years. He left as the fall guy when Facebook was reported to be using a PR firm with shady anti-Semitic tactics that crossed Sandberg’s desk - they both simply “rebranded.” /11

A couple more things, I highlight WSJ previous work but should also note @lizzadwoskin @craigtimberg @TonyRomm here, too. And no doubt other outlets. Press build on each other to get closer to truth. This is good. /12

https://twitter.com/jason_kint/status/1277439451577438214

Also if you want a case study for how decisions could have been impacted by the claims in BuzzFeed’s report, here is one. Sept 12th contrasting Twitter and Facebook. /13

https://twitter.com/jason_kint/status/1304824180127522817

Related note: here is Kaplan and Zuckerberg’s tightest performance art. Both are now being pressed by @AGKarlRacine for depositions on same topic - reminder, they paid FTC $5B to avoid this risk (causing another lawsuit). ps: you may recognize voice. /14

Two other numbers related to this report. @CraigSilverman @RMac18 claim 14 sources. That’s impressive and speaks to their own work and Facebook’s employee woes. And $300 billion, the amount of support into the company and its shareholders by advertisers. /15

Here is a thread on how FB combined govt relations + content moderation dynamic can impact global democracy. Less obvious maybe and like with proper reporting on its platform decisions and advertisers, it gives Facebook a choke point on govt influence. /16

https://twitter.com/jason_kint/status/1294415549364084736?s=20

and of course, whether in India or America, the choke point is impossible to ignore and requires accountability above and below which has proven impossible with the company and governance making it also an antitrust issue. /17 washingtonpost.com/technology/202…

I mean of course FB is now more likely to move against sites causing polarization as Democrats control the US government. But how is that also not a problem? Until we deal with the core business problem, it's a weapon of the information war. /18 wsj.com/articles/faceb…

🙏🏽 Need. More. Whistleblowers. Regulators (SEC, FTC, AGs) have yet to bring the hammer down forcing depositions that exposing truth. These courageous former employees are important to process.

https://twitter.com/themaxburns/status/1363651190345641985

Just bumped into this thread. Not only did @RMac18 along w @CraigSilverman file an amazingly important report today, Ryan took the time to recognize other work it built on. Need more of this. Love it. Plural press pushing each other’s facts working towards the truth.

https://twitter.com/RMac18/status/1363577627907219457