The Intelligence from The Economist

When it goes dark: Facebook’s terrible week

Oct 5, 2021
Ludwig Ziegler, U.S. technology editor at The Economist, shares insights on Facebook's turbulent week, spotlighting a whistleblower's claims about its harmful effects, especially on young girls. Tom Standage, the deputy editor, delves into the environmental implications of the modern food industry; he explores potential technological fixes and consumer skepticism towards sustainable practices. They also touch on the complexities surrounding Afghan diplomats and the challenges they face under the Taliban. A compelling discussion on pressing global issues!
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ANECDOTE

Facebook's Terrible Week

  • Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp experienced a major outage, disrupting billions of users.
  • This event coincided with whistleblower Frances Haugen's 60 Minutes interview and upcoming congressional testimony.
INSIGHT

Suspicious Timing

  • The timing of the Facebook outage, right before Frances Haugen's testimony, seems suspicious.
  • It raises questions beyond a simple configuration change.
INSIGHT

Internal Research Leaks

  • Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager, leaked internal research.
  • This research revealed negative impacts of Facebook and Instagram, especially on teenage girls' body image.
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