Illustration: Leaf and Core. Photo: Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
Facebook “is on the wrong side of history,” says former Facebook software engineer Ashok Chadwaney. They’ve accused the company of “profiting off hate in the US [sic] and globally.” Chadwaney had worked for Facebook for 5 1/2 years, a longer than average amount of time in the tech world. However, they couldn’t look past Facebook’s part in the Rohungya genocide, or the numerous U.S.-based posts of hate and violence that are extremely popular on Facebook. Facebook refuses to remove them and the far-right voices out of fear of upsetting Republicans or reducing the controversy on the platform. Facebook thrives off of engagement, and nothing drives engagement like hate.
Chadwaney is non-binary, a member of the LGBTQ community. Currently, in the United States, the LGBTQ and especially transgender communities face constant attack. Facebook is one of those places where hate spreads and support for ignorant and hateful legislation begins. Transgender people have spoken out against the hate they receive at work and on Facebook’s platform before. Facebook, seemingly, is unconcerned.
A Long List of Hate
Facebook’s crimes against humanity are almost too long to list. From being the driving factor behind the Rohingya genocide to proven increases in hate crimes in Germany. They’ve abused Black and LGBTQ employees, permitted hate speech on their platform, and even forgave conservative and alt-right media organizations for breaking their rules, just to keep the far-right voices on the platform. Facebook went out of their way to lift those hateful sources of propaganda up, even the notoriously anti-LGBTQ and racist Breitbart news. They’ve continued to allow militia groups, even after a self-identified militia member, Kyle Rittenhouse, killed two people at a Black Lives Matter protest.
Leading up to the 2016 election, Facebook allowed Donald Trump to break their rules against religiously-based hate speech. Trump said he wanted to ban Muslims from entering the U.S. Facebook should have removed the post and banned him from the platform. Instead, they allowed the hate speech to remain. People shared it and the hateful idea became so commonplace that some may not even remember it echoes the language of the Nazis about Jews in Germany. Facebook not only normalized that hate, they helped Trump win the election.
Hate drives profit at Facebook, and they’re not going to remove it as long as it continues to be a profit center.
Losing Good Talent
I’m a software engineer, as are many of my friends. Facebook is one of those places most of us wouldn’t consider going to. We’ve been approached by Facebook recruiters and largely ignored them. I actually told a recruiter that the reason I’m not interested in a role at the company is Facebook’s content policies and support of hate speech and controversy, along with their invasive data tracking practices. The recruiter was respectful and understood where I was coming from.
Facebook is a place where hate goes to thrive. Many software engineers aren’t willing to sell their souls for that, even if the gelato on the Instagram floor is incredible (it really is), or the cafeteria has amazing food. It all feels like you’re making a deal with the devil. Looking at the damage, harm, and death Facebook has caused worldwide, and that feeling is easy to validate. No pay or benefits is worth soaking your hands in blood.
Sources:
- Ashok Chadwaney, via The Washington Post
- Craig Timberg and Elizabeth Dwoskin, The Washington Post