Your Undivided Attention

A Conversation with Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen

Oct 18, 2021

In this engaging conversation, Frances Haugen, a brave whistleblower and ex-Facebook product manager, sheds light on the company's alarming prioritization of profits over public safety. She discusses the profound implications of this for vulnerable communities and the urgent need for accountability in social media. Frances highlights how Facebook's algorithms amplify misinformation and polarizing content. The talk wraps up with an inspiring call for reform, emphasizing the pivotal role of user safety and the launch of a campaign aimed at fostering a healthier digital environment.

55:24

Creator website

Episode guests

Frances Haugen

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Whistleblowing and Facebook's Ethical Dilemma

15min

Understanding Hyper Asymmetry in Social Media Engagement

2min

The Impact of Facebook Algorithms on Content Engagement

25min

The Urgency of Solutions Against Digital Harms

2min

Reforming Facebook: A Leverage Points Approach

8min

Campaign for a Safer Social Media Experience

2min

We are now in social media's Big Tobacco moment. And that’s largely thanks to the courage of one woman: Frances Haugen.

Frances is a specialist in algorithmic product management. She worked at Google, Pinterest, and Yelp before joining Facebook — first as a Product Manager on Civic Misinformation, and then on the Counter-Espionage team. But what she saw at Facebook was that the company consistently and knowingly prioritized profits over public safety. So Frances made the courageous decision to blow the whistle — which resulted in the biggest disclosure in the history of Facebook, and in the history of social media.

In this special interview, co-hosts Tristan and Aza go behind the headlines with Frances herself. We go deeper into the problems she exposed, discuss potential solutions, and explore her motivations — along with why she fundamentally believes change is possible. We also announce an exciting campaign being launched by the Center for Humane Technology — to use this window of opportunity to make Facebook safer.