Facebook CEO, Mark Zuckerberg (News - Alert) is prepared to testify in front of the House Energy and Commerce Committee this week, and has released a seven-page, carefully-articulated – and certainly coached – testimony to the public. Here are key points the social media maven will key on during the hearing.
And the Award Goes to…
Facebook (News - Alert), for all the good deeds done. As expected, Zuckerberg, starts with a triumphant sounding of the horn, asking the Committee to first refer to the movements that Facebook has helped organize, such as #MeToo and the March for Our Lives. He adds that, in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, the Facebook community banded together to raise more than $20 Million in relief funds.
Facebook’s Plan of Action
Zuckerberg continues with an apology for the lack of responsibility taken after data misuse was confirmed. To some degree, he addressed the Cabridge Analytica scandal and other mishaps with reporters recently.
Notably, his comments follow with a detailed step-by-step plan of action for protecting user privacy going forward. This includes safeguarding the Facebook platform, investigations into other apps that have had data access, and building better privacy controls. Reports today indicate Facebook has suspended data analytics firm Cubeyou over allegations data improprieties.
From Russia, with Love
Zuckerberg also shows his patriotic pomp and circumstance by addressing Russian election interference. He talks about the freedom and democracy at the center of American values, and how Facebook gives everyone a voice for good in the democratic process. He states that Facebook will take action to build new technologies that prevent abuse and fake accounts, majorly increase investments in security, and strengthen advertising policies.
Growing Pains
Finally, Zuckerberg reminds the Committee that he was a mere young pup in college when he started Facebook. He marks progress the social network has made in bringing world communities closer together, a social mission of the Facebook of today.
On the challenge of serving the more than 2 billion Facebook users, he concludes with this: “And when we address these challenges, I know we’ll look back and view helping people connect and giving more people a voice as a positive force in the world.” Aw. And with that, the Facebook CEO is ready for questions.
Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify this Wednesday on Capitol Hill. What happens next will play itself out on two fronts: in Congress and in the court of public opinion where there are sure to be a preponderance of likes and dislikes over Zuckerberg’s comments.
Do you think Facebook is handling its user and data privacy missteps appropriately? Will you stop using Facebook as a result of these breaches of privacy?