How Facebook Went Easy on Alex Jones
Mark Changed The Rules: How Facebook Went Easy On Alex Jones And Other Right-Wing Figures
Facebooks rules to combat misinformation and hate speech are subject to the whims and political considerations of its CEO and his policy team leader.
Mark Zuckerberg and Joel Kaplan chat after leaving a meeting with Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) in his office on Capitol Hill on September 19, 2019 in Washington, DC.
That was the first time I experienced having to create a new category of policy to fit what Zuckerberg wanted. It's somewhat demoralizing when we have established a policy and its gone through rigorous cycles. Like, what the fuck is that for? said a second former policy employee who, like the first, asked not to be named so they could speak about internal matters.
Mark called for a more nuanced policy and enforcement strategy, Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone said of the Alex Jones decision, which also affected the bans of other extremist figures.
Zuckerbergs more nuanced policy set off a cascading effect, the two former employees said, which delayed the companys efforts to remove right wing militant organizations such as the Oath Keepers, which were involved the Jan. 6 insurrection at the US Capitol. It is also a case study in Facebooks willingness to change its rules to placate Americas right wing and avoid political backlash.
Internal documents obtained by BuzzFeed News and interviews with 14 current and former employees show how the companys policy team guided by Joel Kaplan, the vice president of global public policy, and Zuckerbergs whims has exerted outsize influence while obstructing content moderation decisions, stymieing product rollouts, and intervening on behalf of popular conservative figures who have violated Facebooks rules...
https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/ryanmac/mark-zuckerberg-joel-kaplan-facebook-alex-jones