Meta Faces Explosive Allegations Over Ties with China
A former senior manager at Meta has made damning accusations against the tech giant, claiming the company collaborated with the Chinese government on censorship tools. Sarah Wynn-Williams, Meta’s ex-Global Director of Public Policy, alleges in her new book “Careless People”, released on March 11, 2025, that CEO Mark Zuckerberg even considered delaying viral posts until Chinese authorities could approve them.
Claims of Close Collaboration with China
As reported by the BBC, Wynn-Williams alleges that Meta worked closely with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). She claims Meta provided developers to train Chinese officials on the platform’s operations and test censorship tools. China, with over a billion internet users, is the largest online market globally, making it an enticing prospect for Western tech companies.
However, platforms like Meta remain blocked by China’s stringent censorship system, known as the “Great Firewall.” Wynn-Williams paints a disturbing picture of Meta’s attempts to gain access to this lucrative market, including alleged efforts to appease China through censorship agreements.
Other Serious Allegations Against Meta
The accusations don’t stop at China. Wynn-Williams also claims Meta’s algorithms identified vulnerable teenagers and shared this data with advertisers. Troublingly, she noted that most Meta executives reportedly don’t allow their own children to use the platform.
Meta Responds
Meta has strongly denied the allegations. In a statement to the BBC, the company rejected Wynn-Williams’ claims, labeling her an “activist” rather than a whistleblower and asserting she was dismissed in 2017 for “poor performance.” Meta also denied ever developing tools targeting user emotional states.
Despite Meta’s firm denial, Wynn-Williams has filed a whistleblower complaint with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), accusing Meta of misleading investors about its China strategy. She joins other high-profile critics of Meta, including Frances Haugen, who leaked internal documents in 2021 alleging the company prioritized profits over user safety.
Zuckerberg’s Longstanding China Aspirations
Mark Zuckerberg’s interest in breaking into the Chinese market is well-documented. In a 2019 speech, he expressed his hope to bring Meta to China, believing it could promote a more connected and open society. However, he admitted that no agreement on operating in China had ever materialized.
The allegations in Wynn-Williams’ book, combined with her whistleblower complaint, add to the growing scrutiny around Meta’s operations and ethical practices. Whether these claims will lead to significant repercussions for the company remains to be seen.
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