#19476
Mentioned in 2 episodes

Broken Code

Book • 2023
In 'Broken Code,' Jeff Horwitz, an award-winning Wall Street Journal reporter, delves into the inner workings of Facebook and its sister platforms Instagram and WhatsApp.

The book exposes how Facebook, despite being a daily destination for billions, was plagued by scandals from 2016 onwards.

Horwitz reveals that Facebook was amplifying anger, ignoring human trafficking, enabling drug cartels and authoritarians, and allowing VIP users to break platform rules.

The book highlights the struggles of Facebook employees who uncovered these issues but faced consistent delays, watering down, or stifling of their solutions due to the company's prioritization of user engagement over safety and ethical considerations.

It also explores Facebook's role in shaping politics, particularly around significant events like the January 6th riot and the 2016 and 2020 elections.

Mentioned by

Mentioned in 2 episodes

Mentioned by
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Ed Zitron
as a clear-eyed view of how bad Meta has been.
30 snips
Facebook Was Already Zucked
Mentioned by
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Ed Zitron
, referencing Jeff Horowitz's book when discussing Facebook's perpetual growth strategy.
Radio Better Offline: Mia Sato & Dave Lee

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