Whistleblower Reveals Facebook's Censorship Plans for China

A whistleblower complaint filed by Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former global policy director at Meta, alleges that the company developed a censorship system to gain entry into the Chinese market. The complaint details efforts made by Facebook, under the codename 'Project Aldrin,' to create a version of its platform compliant with China's strict censorship laws, including proposals to allow the Chinese government oversight of content and local data storage for easier access by authorities. Wynn-Williams claims that Facebook was ready to appoint a 'chief editor' to control content and that the company restricted a Chinese dissident's account to curry favor with the Chinese Communist Party. In response, Meta has stated that they ultimately chose not to pursue these initiatives, a claim that has been met with skepticism given the extensive nature of the allegations. The controversy raises broader concerns about Big Tech companies compromising user privacy and free expression for market access. Wynn-Williams is also releasing a memoir detailing her experiences at the company, which will include insights into its corporate culture and leadership decisions.