A software engineer at Facebook has resigned to protest the company’s activities, saying Facebook is “on the wrong side of history.” In an open letter to co-workers, Ashok Chandwaney wrote, “I’m quitting because I can no longer stomach contributing to an organization that is profiting off hate in the US and globally.” Chandwaney cited Facebook’s role in fueling genocide in Burma and for allowing a far-right militia to use the platform to recruit armed vigilantes recently to come to Kenosha, Wisconsin, to confront Black Lives Matter protesters. One of the militia’s supporters then shot dead two protesters.
Meanwhile, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has rejected claims the platform has become a platform for the far right. He appeared on “Axios on HBO.”
Mark Zuckerberg: “I don’t think that the service is — is a right-wing echo chamber, to use your words. I think that, you know, everyone can use their voice and can find media that they trust, that reflects the opinions and the life experiences that they’re having.”