In a recent federal court hearing in Oakland, California, Arturo Bejar, a former security engineer at Meta, revealed alarming insights regarding the safety of children on the company's social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. His testimony came as part of a lawsuit filed by 29 state attorneys general against Meta, accusing the company of deliberately designing products that lead to addiction among young users and have detrimental effects on their well-being.
Testimony Against Meta's Practices
Bejar was the first witness called in this significant case, shedding light on Meta's internal awareness of the negative impacts faced by children and teenagers using its services. He described a troubling culture within the company characterized by a "don't ask, don't tell" policy, which tends to overlook critical issues surrounding child safety on social media.
Concerns Over Recommendation Systems
According to Bejar, Meta's recommendation algorithms can inadvertently expose young users to harmful content, including that from sexual predators. Despite raising these concerns multiple times to various executives at Facebook and Instagram, he indicated that the responses and measures taken by the company were insufficient.
Communication with Zuckerberg
Throughout his tenure at Meta, Bejar often communicated directly with CEO Mark Zuckerberg regarding product safety issues. He noted that he had discussions with Zuckerberg nearly 100 times, including sending a warning report in 2021 about the dangers posed by harmful content affecting the mental health of teenagers on the platforms. This email was sent following Zuckerberg's public assertion that Meta prioritizes user safety over profits.
Personal Motives Behind His Advocacy
Bejar's commitment to addressing child safety concerns stemmed in part from a personal experience involving his own daughter. This motivation fueled his determination to push for greater accountability and transparency within Meta regarding how its platforms affect young users.
In conclusion, Bejar's testimony highlights significant concerns about the safety of children on Meta's platforms, raising questions about the company's commitment to user welfare in light of its business practices.
Source: https://tekno.kompas.com/read/2026/08/20/14010037/eks-insinyur-meta--zuckerberg-bohong-soal-keselamatan-anak-di-facebook-dan
