Facebook has many slogans. Employees were taught to #BeOpen, to #FocusOnImpact and #BuildSocialValue. We were told that #NothingAtFacebookIsSomeoneElsesProblem and asked #WhatWouldYouDoIfYouWerentAfraid.
I finally put all these into practice today. (1/8)
theguardian.com/technology/202…
I finally put all these into practice today. (1/8)
theguardian.com/technology/202…
Of course, Facebook would never congratulate me for doing so. But at the end of the day, each company only believes in its slogans up to the point of self-interest.
I joined FB because I'd naively hoped to fix the company from within. I am coming forward, because I failed. (2/8)
I joined FB because I'd naively hoped to fix the company from within. I am coming forward, because I failed. (2/8)
Please do not harass or single out any employees in the narratives just published. I am not looking for firings or scapegoats.
But the most insidious aspect of broken systems is the way they ensnare ordinary individuals into complicity. The problems w/ FB go up to the top. (3/8)
But the most insidious aspect of broken systems is the way they ensnare ordinary individuals into complicity. The problems w/ FB go up to the top. (3/8)
Facebook is not my enemy. In the end, their goal - like that of any corporation - is profit. We cannot expect them to fix the world out of the goodness of their hearts, any more than expecting Philip Morris to make cancer-free cigarettes.
Instead, we hold them responsible. (4/8)
Instead, we hold them responsible. (4/8)
And we also hold responsible the politicians who chose to abuse Facebook to manipulate their own populace.
I caught two national governments red-handed without any effort, knowing nothing about their country beyond Google and Wikipedia. Because they never bothered to hide. (5/8)
I caught two national governments red-handed without any effort, knowing nothing about their country beyond Google and Wikipedia. Because they never bothered to hide. (5/8)
These leaders believed that the risk of their blatant activities was worth it, because if they were punished, it would be no more than a slap on the wrist. It is our duty hence to inflict real consequences upon them, such that no world leaders will dare to ever do the same. (6/8)
Kind thanks to @juliacarriew for being a great partner on this project; she's been tirelessly writing for the past few months.
I chose to work w/ the @guardian solely because I'd established a good rapport with Julia and trusted her, and that decision was greatly rewarded. (7/8)
I chose to work w/ the @guardian solely because I'd established a good rapport with Julia and trusted her, and that decision was greatly rewarded. (7/8)
And if you haven't read the article yet, please do so now. I turned down a $64k severance package from FB in order to come forward with this after all.
Besides, Facebook and two dictators don't want you to read it - that should be more than enough reason to defy them. (8/8)
Besides, Facebook and two dictators don't want you to read it - that should be more than enough reason to defy them. (8/8)
This is the loophole used by the governments of Azerbaijan and Honduras. In the end, I convinced Facebook to ban it, but not to enforce it - just as the police don't arrest jaywalkers.
I would call it a 0-day exploit, but it's actually a 971-day exploit.
theguardian.com/technology/202…
I would call it a 0-day exploit, but it's actually a 971-day exploit.
theguardian.com/technology/202…
For more detail on the Azerbaijan case, see my new thread on the Azeri-specific article we just published.
https://twitter.com/szhang_ds/status/1381881565857210369
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