Oversight urged to tackle Facebook 'crisis'

WASHINGTON－A Facebook whistleblower told the United States' lawmakers on Tuesday that the social media giant fuels division, harms children and urgently needs to be regulated.

The testimony by former employee Frances Haugen has fueled one of Facebook's most serious crises yet. Its CEO Mark Zuckerberg has since denied her claims, posting on his account that her claims of the company prioritizing profit over safety was "just not true".

Haugen testified in Capitol Hill after she leaked reams of internal research to authorities and The Wall Street Journal.

"I believe that Facebook's products harm children, stoke division and weaken our democracy," said Haugen to a Senate panel.

"Congressional action is needed. They won't solve this crisis without your help."

In her testimony, she emphasized the power held by a service that is tightly woven into the daily lives of billions of users.

She also noted that the social media giant's platforms risk fueling a contagion of eating disorders, body shaming and self-dissatisfaction that is particularly dangerous for young people.

"There are going to be women walking around this planet in 60 years with brittle bones because of the choices that Facebook made around emphasizing profit today," she said, referring to the impact on eating disorders.

Zuckerberg further denied all the claims in a note to Facebook employees that he posted on his account, calling the argument that the company pushes content for profit "deeply illogical".

After Haugen's testimony, some members of Congress agreed.

"Here's my message for Mark Zuckerberg. Your time of invading our privacy, promoting toxic content and preying on children and teens is over," said Senator Ed Markey.

For years, US lawmakers have threatened to regulate social media platforms to address criticisms of tech giants trampling on privacy, providing a megaphone for dangerous misinformation and damaging young people's well-being.

But experts were uncertain that the revelations from Haugen's testimony would serve to end years of partisan squabbles on the matter.

Agencies via Xinhua