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142

Zuckerberg expressed regret for not being more vocal about "government pressure" to censor COVID-19-related content (thehill.com)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

65 comments fedilink hide all child comments

Zuckerberg said senior Biden administration officials "repeatedly pressured" Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, to "censor" content in 2021. "I believe the government pressure was wrong, and I regret that we were not more outspoken," he wrote to House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan (R-Ohio). "Like I said to our teams at the time, I feel strongly that we should not compromise our content standards due to pressure from any Administration in either direction -- and we're ready to push back if something like this happens again," Zuckerberg added.

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[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 months ago

'They told me to keep it secret, but I regret not talking more about it.' Some things are black or white, don't try to fool us with the 'grey area'. If you didn't outspeak is because your whole purpose was to specifically avoid doing so!

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago

Shit I didn’t know Zuck was going the Elon Route.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (2 children)

"I did something shitty and shady and for that I'm truly sorry"

-some shit stain billionaire

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

In this case it's

“I did something shitty and shady and I wish I did more of it”

He's done shit like this before.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 months ago

a billionaire would never say this

[–] [email protected] 29 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The only reason this shitbag's site is still relevant is because it is a boomer propaganda machine

He knows he's complicit in the collapse, and just wants to make enough money to survive the world wide riots that will result. Every decision he makes is to guarantee that goal.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 months ago

You are exactly correct.

[–] [email protected] 49 points 2 months ago (1 children)

we should not compromise our content standards

You have to have standards to be able to compromise them.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 months ago

Like he said: no compromise!

[–] [email protected] 13 points 2 months ago (1 children)

He seems confident (R) will win the next election. Either presidency or enough of congress.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago

He's also trying to help make that happen

[–] [email protected] 38 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Content? Hardly.

Disinformation. Lies. Etc.

[+] [email protected] -15 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Hunter Biden laptop being Russian Propaganda.

Disinformation. Lies. Etc.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

The letter said it has all the hallmarks of Russian propaganda, not that it was. This is certainly something that certainly has not been disproven by a long shot.

It's funny how often people need to turn to blatant disinformation in order in a desperate attempt to both sides the issue of disinformation. Quite telling, in fact.

[+] [email protected] -16 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The letter said it has all the hallmarks of Russian propaganda, not that it was.

The FBI knew for certain the laptop was genuine, because they had the original (not just the disc image). Yet they led twitter and Facebook to believe it was Russian Propaganda and made no effort to correct the public perception.

This is certainly something that certainly has not been disproven by a long shot.

Incorrect. The serial number on the back of the laptop matches the serial number provided in Apple Inc.’s response to a subpoena for records.

It's funny how often people need to turn to blatant disinformation in order in a desperate attempt to both sides the issue of disinformation.

It's funny how a campaign of blatant disinformation by the FBI has been completely ignored. A campaign so successful that Hunter's laptop is still mislabelled as Russian propaganda by most Americans.

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Yet they led twitter and Facebook to believe it was Russian Propaganda and made no effort to correct the public perception.

The letter did not come from the FBI. More lies or spin to cover up previous lies and spin only further confirms my point.

The serial number on the back of the laptop matches the serial number provided in Apple Inc.’s response to a subpoena for records.

The letter doesn't say the laptop is fake. Are you sure you know at all what happened?

[–] [email protected] -2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

The letter did not come from the FBI ... The letter doesn't say the laptop is fake

What letter are you being blinkered by?

Zuckerberg told Rogan: "The background here is that the FBI came to us - some folks on our team - and was like 'hey, just so you know, you should be on high alert. We thought there was a lot of Russian propaganda in the 2016 election, we have it on notice that basically there's about to be some kind of dump that's similar to that'."

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

From your link:

He said the FBI did not warn Facebook about the Biden story in particular - only that Facebook thought it "fit that pattern".

Directly contradicting your point. Yet you used it as evidence of your point. Can you answer me why one would cite a article that contradicts their point by cherry picking part of it that doesn't contradict their point?

Although, let's also laugh at the absurdity of claiming that because Zuckerberg said it on the joe Rogan show...well, that means it's absolutely true. Lol

But to answer your question, most people when they whine about people "lying" about the laptop being Russian propaganda are referring to the warning letter by ex spies:

https://www.politico.com/f/?id=00000175-4393-d7aa-af77-579f9b330000

[–] [email protected] -2 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) (1 children)

Directly contradicting your point.

Directly supporting. Look at the timeline

Laptop repair owner asks FBI why they haven't done anything.
Says if FBI isn't doing anything he will shortly release the copy he has.
FBI warn everyone that "Russian Propaganda" is about to be released.
Hunter Laptop story drops.
Everyone assumes this is the "Russian Propaganda" so all news and discussion is censored
FBI does not reveal that there is no "Russian Propaganda" related to that story.
FBI does not reveal laptop is genuine
FBI does not admit they've sat on evidence for 9 months and done nothing.

most people when they whine about people "lying" about the laptop being Russian propaganda are referring to the warning letter by ex spies:

No. I'm accusing the FBI of media manipulation and misinformation.

But it is hilarious that you are trying to invent evidence using what professional misinformation creators didn't say in a published letter which, we now know, was complete misinformation.

The main problem with misinformation is who gets to decide what is fact and what is fiction.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

FBI does not reveal that there is no “Russian Propaganda” related to that story.

You still havent proven this. Did you read the letter i posted? This is where the whole "Russian disinformation" public perception comes from, not from some questionable timeline where the FBI plants some vague seeds and the public is smart enough to make the connection.

And this is the point. They warned Facebook about the disinformation, and Facebook saw that the laptop fit the pattern. Maybe this is because it was Russian disinformation, which is why the FBI never corrected it. Although, there are more reasons why the FBI wouldn't hop in, such as it's not their job to correct public opinion.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Did you read the letter i posted? This is where the whole "Russian disinformation" public perception comes from,

Your letter is not relevant. We are discussing why Facebook immediately started censoring the Hunter Biden laptop story published on the 14th October 2020. This has absolutely nothing to do with a disinformation letter released 5 days later on the 19th.

questionable timeline

What are you questioning?

where the FBI plants some vague seeds

Referenced directly by Zuckerberg as the specific reason for censorship.

and the public is smart enough to make the connection.

No, the Facebook content team were duped into connecting the laptop story to Russian propaganda.

Maybe this is because it was Russian disinformation, which is why the FBI never corrected it.

OK. I'd love to hear you arguing this. At what point were the Russians involved in repairing Hunter Biden's laptop?

it's not their job to correct public opinion.

It's not the FBI's job to run PR interference for a politician's son, but that's exactly what they did. Court documents prove they had foreknowledge and proof that Hunter's laptop was genuine.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Your letter is not relevant.

Absolutely relevant because it explains how the laptop could be real and that it is still part of a Russian disinformation campaign. Of course the public can only respond to a story after it has been released.

No, the Facebook content team were duped into connecting the laptop story to Russian propaganda

Again, at no point have you established as a fact that it was not Russian propaganda. But that sentence was meant to be taken as a whole, contradicting your claim that the public misconception about it was due to FBI planting the seeds.

OK. I’d love to hear you arguing this.

Lol I gave you a letter of a bunch of intelligence officially pointing out how it has the earmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign. I don't I know what the truth is, you're the one maintaining you know for sure it is not, without providing any evidence other than "the laptop is his" which we agree is not in dispute, but leaves a ton of other questions opened.

Again, read the fucking letter.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Of course the public can only respond to a story after it has been released.

We are discussing Facebook censoring (incorrectly identified) misinformation.

The response letter of ex spies had nothing do to with Facebook's actions, which were actually based on misleading FBI warnings.

Again, at no point have you established as a fact that it was not Russian propaganda.

You want me to prove a negative? Ok. No russians were involved in fixing Hunter's laptop.

contradicting your claim that the public misconception about it was due to FBI planting the seeds.

I made no such claim. In fact the opposite is true. The lack of public communication by the FBI about the origins of the laptop story is what is damaging.

I gave you a letter of a bunch of intelligence officially pointing out how it has the earmarks of a Russian disinformation campaign.

None of which were true, because it has been proven in court via serial numbers that the laptop is genuine. Claims of Russian propaganda are pure misinformation.

"the laptop is his" which we agree is not in dispute,

We agree this is true, so how then do the Russians fit into your conspiracy theory?

Again, read the fucking letter.

Again, the letter was sent 5 days after censorship began. It is not relevant.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

We are discussing Facebook censoring (incorrectly identified) misinformation.

Again, you've yet to actually establish that this is the case.

The response letter of ex spies had nothing do to with Facebook’s actions, which were actually based on misleading FBI warnings.

Again, it explains how even if the laptop is real, that it could still be part of a Russian disinformation campaign. Sticking your fingers in your ears doesn't make this go away.

You want me to prove a negative?

No, you've repeatedly claimed we know it's not Russia disinformation, which is a positive assertion.

I made no such claim.

It's right in your timeline.

None of which were true, because it has been proven in court via serial numbers that the laptop is genuine.

Holy shit I can't believe you still haven't read the letter. Amazing.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Again, you've yet to actually establish that [Facebook censoring (incorrectly identified) misinformation] is the case.

See Zuckerberg's statement

it could still be part of a Russian disinformation campaign

Nothing raised in that letter is relevant. There was no hacking. E-mails have been independently verified. The story is independent of Giuliani.

There is absolutely no evidence of Russian involvement between the point that the laptop was submitted for repair in April 2019 and the FBI subpoenaing the laptop in December 2019.

The FBI suggesting to facebook and twitter that the laptop was Russian Propaganda is pure misinformation.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

See Zuckerberg’s statement

I'm not even sure he said what you're claiming he said, but regardless are we really saying "well, zuckerberg said it must be true!"? Please tell me we're not there.

E-mails have been independently verified. The story is independent of Giuliani.

Your language is so tricky. I wonder why. Yes, some emails have been verified. But not all.

There is absolutely no evidence of Russian involvement between the point that the laptop was submitted for repair in April 2019 and the FBI subpoenaing the laptop in December 2019.

Again, tricky language. There are questions about how it got there at all, and there are chain of custody questions too. So sure, if they planted it, there is no evidence of their involvement after doing so.

The FBI suggesting to facebook and twitter that the laptop was Russian Propaganda is pure misinformation.

Except, again, according to the article you have posted and referenced multiple times, Zuckerberg says the FBI never said anything about the laptop. You seem to be picking and choosing when to believe Zuckerberg, conveniently when it suits your conclusion.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

I'm not even sure he said what you're claiming he said

In a separate situation, the FBI warned us about a potential Russian disinformation operation about the Biden family and Burisma in the lead up to the 2020 election. That fall, when we saw a New York Post story reporting on corruption allegations involving then-Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden's family, we sent that story to fact-checkers for review and temporarily demoted it while waiting for a reply. It's since been made clear that the reporting was not Russian disinformation, and in retrospect, we shouldn't have demoted the story.

"well, zuckerberg said it must be true!"? Please tell me we're not there.

Well, he wrote that in a public letter to the House Judiciary committee. Let's see the FBI disagree or arrest him for misinformation.

some emails have been verified. But not all.

The damaging ones have. In particular the "10% for the big guy" email is genuine.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 2 months ago (1 children)

It’s since been made clear that the reporting was not Russian disinformation

Notice the language here, he says "the reporting" was not disinformation, nothing about whether the laptop itself was part of any disinformation campaign. You've been very careful with your language, it's surprising that you can't see this deliberate use of language to sidestep any actual statement about the the laptop itself.

The damaging ones have.

So we agree that they haven't all been verified, exposing what was obfuscated in your claim.

And why have you abandoned the central theme of your claim that the FBI pressured them about the laptop? Again it appears you believe zuck when he kind of says something that confirms your point, but when he says something that contradicts it, you just ignore it.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago

Notice the language here, he says "the reporting" was not disinformation, nothing about whether the laptop itself was part of any disinformation campaign.

What? If reporting the laptop contents is not misinformation then the laptop contents are not misinformation.

And why have you abandoned the central theme of your claim that the FBI pressured them about the laptop?

My claim that the FBI deliberately mislead Twitter and Facebook was detailed above with accompanying evidence. You've brought nothing new to contradict that claim.

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