Posted by Jillian Greene.
A hot topic recently has been that Facebook creator, Mark Zuckerberg, is getting exposed for privacy and security issues. Originally starting in October of 2018 during the Cambridge issue, this theory of Facebook abusing their privacy policy and invading its users has been investigated for several years. Finally, attorney General Karl Racine has decided to file a motion adding Zuckerberg as a defendant on the case. He had found more evidence that Zuckerberg knew more about this invasion of privacy that prosecutors had believed. Facebook argues that since this was originally filed three years ago, the claims are not relevant. However, Racine stated, “It’s clear Mr. Zuckerberg knowingly and actively participated in each decision that led to Cambridge Analytica’s mass collection of Facebook user data and Facebook’s misrepresentations to users about how secure their data was.” This helps strengthen his accusation for Zuckerberg lying and acting unethically.
This step made by Racine was so important because it had been the first time a US regulator has added the creator in a complaint. Racine explained to the press how this case shows that even the highest CEOs of companies need to act correctly and if not, will get punished for their actions. He wants to prove how everyone, no matter your status, is objected to the law.
When it comes to this case, I completely agree with the Attorney General. Laws are made to be followed by everyone. They are created to represent society as a whole and when people think they are entitled to break these laws, they should be punished. In the past, CEOs have gotten away with plenty of misconduct due to their high status. I believe adding Zuckerberg as a respondent is a step forward in cresting fairness among all. What Facebook was doing with its users was not okay. By using Facebook and sharing private information, users show trust, and these creators are taking advantage of that. This also makes you think, if Facebook is doing this, what other social media platforms are as well? We store important information in these types of resources such as credit card information, addresses, pictures, etc. The idea that this information is not protected now makes all users feel uncomfortable and invaded. All in all, Zuckerberg needed to be reprimanded for privacy and security fraud as an example to all that laws apply to everyone.
Jillian is an undeclared major at Seton Hall University, Class of 2024.
Link: https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebooks-zuckerberg-named-in-suit-by-washington-d-c-attorney-general-11634741260