Facebook prioritises ‘greed’ over children, US Senators say

Davis is seen on a screen as she testifies before the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, US. Senators asked sharp questions regarding suicide rates for Instagram users, specific policy changes as a result of Facebook’s research and how the company’s business model guides product design. — Reuters

Facebook Inc’s head of global safety faced tough questions from US lawmakers who accused the company of prioritising profit and growth over the health of its youngest users.

Senators at a hearing on Sept 30 seized on Facebook’s internal research about the mental-health effects of its platforms, arguing the social media giant can’t be trusted to act in the best interest of children and teens. Senator Richard Blumenthal said Facebook has “chosen growth over children’s mental health and well-being, greed over preventing the suffering of children”.