There are many threads to be drawn from Frances Haugen's explosive Senate hearing. However, one thing is certain: Haugen alleges that Facebook has always prioritized its revenue over the well-being of its users.
Haugen stated that Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg had decided not to remove downstream MSI (meaningful social interactions) because it was believed that people's bonuses were tied to it. Haugen worked as a product manager for Facebook's civic integrity group, which was focused on election issues. Facebook fired her shortly before the Jan. 6, riots and she quit in April.
It is problematic because it predicts when something will go viral and pushes it out to more users. It spreads information based on how they engage users and not their usefulness or truthfulness. This can lead to some very dark consequences. According to Wall Street Journal, Facebook's civic team discovered that it could decrease misinformation spread if it stopped relying so heavily on downstream MSI. Facebook did this, but only for specific topics and in particular countries.
Haugen speculates that downstream MSI could be tied to bonuses. Mashable did not immediately respond to Mashable's request for comment.
According to the Journal's report, which was supported by internal reports provided by Haugen to the paper, the civic team asked Zuckerberg to "dial back downstream MSI" more often and in more places. This was not what the company did.
Haugen stated that Mark was presented with options and decided not to remove downstream MSI by April 2020. Haugen didn't know why he decided not to do it, when Haugen was asked.
"The best theory we have come up with, but I want to stress that this is only our interpretation, is that people's bonus are tied to MSI. Haugen said. "People leave or stay in a company depending on how much they get paid." Many people wouldn't get their bonuses if MSI was hurt.
All this happens in the middle a chaotic few hours for the social network.
