Thread by @CSMaP_NYU

A lot to unpack from today’s Facebook whistleblower Senate hearing. Here’s some interesting storylines and insightful commentary we’ve seen: 🧵 1/

Many have noted this was one of the most focused and productive Big Tech hearing they've seen. Perhaps lawmakers are ready to cross the aisle and work together on meaningful regulation?

Maybe. @Cat_Zakrzewski @viaCristiano @lizzadwoskin @WillOremus note that lawmakers are outraged, but "there's little consensus on what kind of legislation they might advance."

washingtonpost.com/technology/202…

At @Recode, @shiringhaffary highlights @FrancesHaugen's call for a new regulatory agency. vox.com/recode/2271155…

A first step toward accountability is increasing transparency and opening up Facebook's data to outside researchers. In the @NYDailyNews, our co-directors @j_a_tucker and @Jonathan_Nagler explain why this is critical nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-ope…

What could transparency legislation look like? @persily has a draft bill that would "grant scholars from outside the social media companies access to the information held by them — while protecting user privacy." washingtonpost.com/outlook/2021/1…

Beyond legislation, two more important points on "fixing" Facebook.

First, @MikeIsaac spotlights how the platform's corporate structure incentives profit over safety.

nytimes.com/live/2021/10/0…

Second, @CaseyNewton correctly notes that the problems Facebook exacerbates are actually society-level problems -- and fixing Facebook won't fix society. platformer.news/p/the-facebook…

And Zuckerberg responds: "If we're going to have an informed conversation about the effects of social media on young people, it's important to start with a full picture." (Agree) "We're committed to doing more research ourselves and making more research publicly available." (🤔)

Link to Zuckerberg's post: facebook.com/4/posts/101139…