Whistleblower testifies as UK scrutinises Facebook

Former Facebook data scientist turned whistleblower Frances Haugen gave evidence to a U.K. Parliamentary committee scrutinizing online safety legislation Monday. The committee is proposing big fines or other significant penalties for companies that do not limit and get rid of harmful online material.

Frances Haugen, Facebook Whistleblower said "I came forward now because now is the most critical time to act. When we see something like an oil spill, that oil spill doesn't make it harder for a society to regulate oil companies. But right now the failures of Facebook are making it harder for us to regulate Facebook."

Haugen told how Facebook Groups amplifies online hate, saying algorithms that prioritize engagement take people with mainstream interests and push them to the extremes.  She said the company could add moderators to prevent groups from being used to spread extremist views.