After over five hours of the #Zuckerberg hearing today, here are EFF’s highlights: (1/11)
Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook in his dorm room in 2004.
Facebook seems to be moving towards AI solutions for all of Facebook’s problems, including hate speech and fake news, without mentioning the likelihood of overbroad censorship.
eff.org/deeplinks/2018…
eff.org/deeplinks/2018…
Several senators seemed to call for laws requiring web platforms to filter users’ behavior. Remember, when platforms over-rely on automated filtering, it results in some voices being pushed offline. eff.org/deeplinks/2017…
Zuckerberg said, “We have a whole AI ethics team that is working on developing basically the technology, it’s not just the philosophical principles." But arm-waving and “nerding harder” will not resolve the fundamental problems that automated content filtering efforts face.
Zuckerberg repeatedly insisted users have “complete control” over their data, referring to posts & photos as examples. That ignores mountains of data Facebook takes from users’ behavior without their knowledge or consent, certainly without opportunity for meaningful control.
And as we expected, Zuckerberg also insisted that Facebook “does not sell user data.” While that may be technically true, it’s beside the point. No matter how the CEO slices it, Facebook’s business revolves around monetizing user data and attention.
Zuckerberg struggled to name a direct competitor or alternative to Facebook. Without viable alternatives, many concerned users cannot feasibly leave the platform and support more privacy-protective services.
eff.org/deeplinks/2018…
eff.org/deeplinks/2018…
Zuckerberg agreed with some senators that regulation could benefit the social media space. But any new law must not limit competition. Heavy-handed requirements could snuff out tomorrow’s social network before it even gets started. eff.org/deeplinks/2018…
Many unanswered questions remain, but don’t worry. Zuckerberg’s team will get back to us on that.
We’ll be back tomorrow morning live-tweeting Zuckerberg’s hearing in the House. Follow us @EFFLive starting at 7AM Pacific.
