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 delivers an incisive account of the behind-the-scenes workings of the social media giant.
Despite Meta's attempts to prevent its release, the book reached number one in the US, revealing little-known aspects of the company and its leaders.
A testimony from the inside
Sarah Wynn-Williams served as Facebook's director of global public policy from 2011 to 2017. In "Careless People," she shares her experience at the company, highlighting a corporate culture she describes as toxic and questionable behavior by some executives. She portrays Mark Zuckerberg, in particular, as an unpredictable and power-hungry leader, willing to compromise with Chinese authorities to penetrate the Asian market.
Disturbing revelations
Among the book's notable revelations, Wynn-Williams claims that Facebook considered working closely with the Chinese government, even developing censorship tools to comply with local requirements. She also alleges the platform's involvement in spreading hate speech in Burma, contributing to violence against the Rohingya. These accusations shed a harsh light on the potential consequences of the company's strategic decisions.
Meta's reaction
Faced with these allegations, Meta did not remain silent. The company quickly took legal action to prevent the book from being promoted, citing a violation of a non-disparagement agreement signed when Wynn-Williams left in 2017. An arbitrator ordered the author to cease all promotion of her work pending a full review of the case. However, this attempt at censorship backfired, sparking increased public interest and propelling the book to the top of the bestseller lists.
A resounding success
Despite the obstacles, "Careless People" was a resounding success. It topped the New York Times nonfiction bestseller list and reached number four on the Amazon all genres combined. This performance demonstrates the public's appetite for stories that reveal the behind-the-scenes workings of tech giants and raises questions about transparency and ethics within these companies.
A debate on freedom of expression
Meta's attempt to silence a dissenting voice has reignited the debate over freedom of expression and the right to information. By seeking to prevent the book's distribution, the company inadvertently amplified its reach, illustrating the Streisand effect, where an attempt to suppress information leads to its increased dissemination. This situation highlights the challenges tech companies face 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 one agrees with Sarah Wynn-Williams's views or not, her book encourages deep reflection on the role and responsibility of companies like Meta in our contemporary society.
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