Brian Boland: Whistleblower Testifies Against Meta’s Prioritization of Growth Over User Safety
Former Meta executive, Brian Boland, who spent over a decade at the company, testified in a California court that Meta’s system incentivized drawing more users to Facebook and Instagram, including teenagers, despite the potential risks involved. Boland’s testimony came after Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s appearance in court for a case examining whether Meta and YouTube are responsible for allegedly damaging a young woman’s mental health. Here is the source link.
Zuckerberg and Boland’s Contrasting Testimonies
While Zuckerberg defended Meta’s mission as balancing user safety with freedom of expression without focusing on revenue, Boland contradicted this claim. He explained how Meta’s revenue generation model shaped the design of its platforms. According to Boland, Zuckerberg created a culture that prioritized growth and profit over user wellbeing.
Boland’s Role at Meta
Boland, who last served as Meta’s VP of partnerships, was instrumental in bringing content to the platform that could be monetized. He also held various advertising roles since joining the company in 2009. Boland testified that the company’s early slogan “move fast and break things” embodied a cultural ethos that encouraged pushing products out into the market without fully considering potential problems.
Meta’s Priorities: Winning Growth and Engagement
Zuckerberg made the company’s priorities clear, according to Boland. These priorities were winning growth and engagement. However, Boland disputes Meta’s claims that it prioritizes user wellbeing over user engagement. He testified that opportunities to understand the harmful effects of Meta’s products were not prioritized.
Meta’s Response to Safety Issues
When safety issues were brought up through press reports or regulatory questions, Boland stated that the company’s primary response was to manage the press cycle, rather than taking a step back to fully understand the issue.
Culture at Meta
Boland testified that the culture at Meta had changed over time. While there was a diversity of opinion earlier in his tenure, according to Boland, the culture later became more closed off.
The Power of Meta’s Algorithm
Boland also described the workings and decisions that went into creating and testing Meta’s algorithm. He highlighted the incredible power of the algorithm, which he said was relentless in pursuing its programmed goals, mainly engagement.
Boland’s Departure from Meta
Boland left Meta in 2020, leaving behind approximately $10 million worth of unvested Meta stock. He admitted that despite the challenges, he still finds it nerve-wracking to speak out against the company.
