Haugen warns that big tech’s lack of transparency will lead to ethical drift, urging the industry to collaborate and shape a safer, responsible future for digital innovation.
Frances Haugen, the former Facebook whistle-blower, urged the tech industry to adopt new ethical guidelines to address growing concerns over privacy and safety in the digital world. Speaking at the DataGrail Summit, she compared the moral drift of tech companies to the navigational challenges faced by sailors in the 16th and 17th centuries, arguing that today’s intangible economy requires a modern-day ‘North Star’ to guide its course.
Haugen drew from her experience at Facebook, criticising the company for repeatedly choosing profits over user well-being in decisions around content moderation. She highlighted the need for greater transparency in social media platforms, pointing out that many need measurable safety metrics, unlike car manufacturers who face independent safety testing. Without such measures, tech companies can avoid ethical practices without consequences.
She also criticised Meta’s decision to shut down its transparency tool CrowdTangle and warned of tech companies’ resistance to scrutiny. Haugen suggested that a lack of transparency is at the heart of the tech industry’s issues, with companies only being held accountable for financial performance rather than their impact on users. She called for greater corporate responsibility in light of increasing data privacy laws.
Lawsuits against Meta by over 40 states regarding harm to children are a significant step towards better regulation, Haugen noted and could lead to further legislative change. She called for collaboration within the industry to ensure innovation proceeds safely and responsibly, allowing technology to have a positive impact without compromising user safety.
