Key Takeaways From Mark Zuckerberg's Senate Testimony
On Tuesday and Wednesday, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in front of Senators in response to the company's role in Russian election interference and the Cambridge Analytica scandal. Many of Zuckerberg's responses were well-practiced (having reportedly gone through four full-length mock hearings) and outlined in his written testimony. Others, however, gave new perspectives on Facebook's growing number of issues. Here are the key takeaways and best moments of the testimony.
Wednesday
Zuckerberg Says Facebook Is Suspicious Of Cambridge University As A Whole
During his testimony, Zuckerberg told representatives that Facebook is looking into an entire program at Cambridge University that is devoted to researching Facebook data.
Zuckerberg Suggests That Facebook May Give European Data Protections To Everyone
In an interesting exchange, Zuckerberg told Representative Gene Green (D-TX) that Facebook intends to provide the same data protections to US citizens as it will to Europeans. Later, he was more vague about the question.
Zuckerberg Struggles To Explain Non-User Tracking
Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) dug into Zuckerberg about Facebook's collection of non-user data through the use of Facebook Pixels. The practice was recently ruled illegal in Belgium, and Castor has called for updated laws guaranteeing more privacy.
Zuckerberg Says His Own Data Was Obtained By Cambridge Analytica
In a series of rapid-fire yes or no questions, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA) asked Zuckerberg whether or not his own data was exposed to Cambridge Analytica. Zuckerberg said it was.
'Diamond And Silk Is Not Terrorism'
Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) built on Ted Cruz's defense, Tuesday, of YouTube Trump supporters Diamond and Silk, who's Facebook capabilities were reportedly limited after their content was "determined unsafe to the community."
Representative Blackburn wasn't the only person to mention Diamond and Silk. Representative Billy Long (R-MO) twisted Zuckerberg's arm into admitting that there was nothing violent about the duo.
Tuesday
Facebook Is Working With Special Counsel Mueller
Mark Zuckerberg told Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) that Facebook employees had been interviewed with by Special Counsel Mueller. In September, The Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook had cooperated with Mueller by handing over ads that were suspected Russian propaganda.
There May Be A Paid, Ad-Free Version Of Facebook
After Sheryl Sandberg told Savannah Guthrie that opting out of targeted ads "would be a paid product," rather than something you can simply opt-out of (there are no announced plans to do this), speculation arose about whether or not Facebook's next product would be a paid ad-free version. When asked about the statement by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT), who quoted Zuckerberg in 2010 saying that Facebook would always be free, Zuck gave an artfully vague answer that left the possibility of a paid Facebook open.
Do Not Ask Questions About Palantir
Zuckerberg had clearly prepared for much of the testimony, giving thorough and PR friendly answers, and generally came off as less robotic than SNL predicted over the weekend. One of the creepiest parts of the testimony came when Zuckerberg was asked about Palantir — a company owned by Facebook board member Peter Thiel that collects data and uses AI to help governments conduct analytics like predicting crime. It's been reported that Palantir worked with Cambridge Analytica to create its psychographic profiles and that it has been able to scrape Facebook data do contribute to predictive policing. When asked about the allegations, Zuckerberg clammed up and gave uncharacteristically short, cold answers.
Zuckerberg Struggles To Answer Monopoly Questions
Senator Lindsey Graham played hardball with Zuckerberg, pushing him on whether or not Facebook is heading into monopoly territory. Zuckerberg struggled to name a direct competitor and joked that "It certainly doesn't feel like [a monopoly] to me."
Senator Kamala Harris Drills Into Zuckerberg Over Decision Not To Tell Users About 2015 Data Breach
Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) drilled into Mark Zuckerberg over the details of the decision not to inform users in 2015 that their data had been compromised by Cambridge Analytica. Zuckerberg originally evaded the question of whether or not there was a concrete decision to not tell users, but eventually admitted that there was a decision made somewhere in the company to that effect that he was not involved in.
Zuckerberg Passes On Chance For A Break And Is Immediately Confronted With Large Gotcha' Signs
Immediately after Zuckerberg was offered a short break and denied it, he was immediately confronted with large gotcha' signs by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). One of the signs contained a segment from Aleksandr Kogan's app's terms of service that go against Facebook's policy of not allowing the sale of user data. Another sign contained a segment from a consent decree signed by Facebook for the FTC. Blumenthal alleged that Facebook's negligence violated the consent decree.
After the hearing, Blumenthal announced new legislation called the CONSENT Act that would require opt-in consent from users for a company to use, share or sell their data along with new, transparent notifications when a company will be collecting, sharing or using the data.
Zuckerberg's Biggest Regret In Running Facebook Has Been Its Handling Of Russian Election Interference
In what seemed like a personal revelation, Zuckerberg told Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) that one of his biggest regrets in running Facebook has been its slow response to Russian election interference.
Zuckerberg Doesn't Want To Tell You Where His Hotel Is
Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) got a laugh from the crowd while making a point when he opened his questions by asking Zuckerberg whether he'd be willing to share publicly what hotel he's staying at this week. Zuckerberg was clearly uncomfortable (for the record, Facebook can tell what hotel you're staying at if you use its app).
Ted Cruz Defends Diamond, Silk And Chik-Fil-A
Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) grilled Zuckerberg over Facebook's potential "bias and political censorship," citing its actions against Trump-supporting YouTubers Diamond and Silk, and a former employee who told Gizmodo that Facebook suppressed conservative-leaning stories.
Cruz also brought up the firing of Oculus founder Palmer Luckey, who was allegedly funding an organization that ran far-right political ads, asking Zuckerberg if he was fired because of his political orientation. Zuckerberg said "no."
