On March 11, 2025, a book burst onto the American literary scene, sparking both fascination and controversy. Entitled "Careless People", this book is the work of Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former Facebook executive (now Meta), who provides an incisive behind-the-scenes account of the social networking giant.
Despite Meta's attempts to prevent its distribution, the book topped the bestseller list in the US, revealing little-known aspects of the company and its leaders.
An inside account
Sarah Wynn-Williams held the position of Director of Global Public Policy at Facebook from 2011 to 2017. In "Careless People", she shares her experience within the company, highlighting a corporate culture she describes as toxic and questionable behavior on the part of certain leaders. In particular, she portrays Mark Zuckerberg as an unpredictable, power-hungry leader, willing to make concessions with the Chinese authorities to penetrate the Asian market.
Disturbing revelations
Among the book's striking revelations, Wynn-Williams asserts that Facebook considered collaborating closely with the Chinese government, going so far as to develop censorship tools to comply with local requirements. She also refers to the platform's involvement in the propagation of hate speech in Burma, contributing to violence against the Rohingya. These accusations cast a harsh light on the potential consequences of the company's strategic decisions.
Meta's reaction
In the face of these allegations, Meta did not remain silent. The company quickly took legal action to prevent promotion of the book, citing a breach of a non-denigration agreement signed when Wynn-Williams left in 2017. An arbitrator ordered the author to cease all promotion of her book pending further investigation of the case. However, this attempt at censorship had the opposite effect, generating increased public interest and propelling the book to the top of the sales charts.
A resounding success
Despite the obstacles, "Careless People" was a runaway success. The book climbed to the top of the New York Times bestseller list for non-fiction and reached number four on Amazon across all genres. This performance testifies to the public's appetite for behind-the-scenes stories about tech giants, and raises questions about transparency and ethics within these companies.
A debate on freedom of expression
Meta's attempt to silence a dissident voice has rekindled the debate on freedom of expression and the right to information. By seeking to prevent the book's dissemination, the company unwittingly amplified its reach, illustrating the Streisand effect, where the attempt to suppress information leads to its increased dissemination. This situation highlights the challenges faced by technology companies in managing their public image and social responsibility.
Our opinion
"Careless People" offers a unique perspective on Meta's internal dynamics, and raises crucial questions about the ethics, governance and societal impact of tech giants. Whether or not you agree with Sarah Wynn-Williams, her book prompts deep reflection on the role and responsibility of companies like Meta in contemporary society.
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