Who is Sarah Wyn-Williams?
Sarah Wyn-Williams was Facebook’s first diplomat, tasked with connecting Mark Zuckerberg to world leaders. Her unique insider perspective led her to write “The Irresponsibles,” a book published by Península that offers an in-depth look at Facebook’s inner workings.
The Transformation of Mark Zuckerberg
Following Donald Trump’s victory in the 2016 elections, Zuckerberg underwent a significant transformation, shifting from an idealistic worldview to one focused on maximizing Facebook’s power. Wyn-Williams’ book sheds light on this change, revealing Zuckerberg’s realization that Facebook may have contributed to Trump’s presidency.
Wyn-Williams’ Role at Facebook
In 2010, Wyn-Williams reached out to Marne Levine, Facebook’s global policy vice president, proposing to link Zuckerberg with world leaders. Her belief in Facebook’s mission to “make the world more open and connected” drove her to take this role.
Cambridge Analytica and Political Manipulation
Christopher Wylie, a creator of Cambridge Analytica, detailed how the firm helped shape the Brexit and Trump elections using Facebook data. Steve Bannon, a Trump advisor, was captivated by Cambridge Analytica’s algorithm and successfully convinced Trump to leverage this manipulation through hate. Similarly, Bannon employed the same tactics with Nigel Farage, a key figure in the Brexit movement.
Facebook’s Global Impact
In countries like Myanmar, Facebook is synonymous with the internet. Wyn-Williams’ book reveals previously unknown ambitions of Zuckerberg to become the U.S. president after Trump’s victory in 2016. She organized meetings between Zuckerberg and world leaders, including describing his tardiness during a meeting with then-Colombian president Juan Manuel Santos.
Facebook’s Challenges in Brazil
During Dilma Rousseff’s presidency in Brazil, Facebook faced severe issues. One employee was jailed for violating internal electoral norms, leading to blocking orders against the social media platform. This situation mirrors a later error made by Elon Musk with Twitter.
Zuckerberg’s Authoritarian Approach
Wyn-Williams describes Facebook as “a one-person autocracy” in her book. She details Zuckerberg’s attempts to assimilate China’s censorship regime into Facebook’s operations.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who was Sarah Wyn-Williams? She was Facebook’s first diplomat, tasked with connecting Mark Zuckerberg to world leaders.
- What is “The Irresponsibles” about? It’s a book by Sarah Wyn-Williams detailing her experiences and observations while working at Facebook, offering insights into the company’s inner workings.
- How did Mark Zuckerberg change after Trump’s victory? He shifted from an idealistic worldview to one focused on maximizing Facebook’s power, as revealed by Wyn-Williams’ book.
- What role did Cambridge Analytica play in political events? The firm, co-founded by Christopher Wylie, used Facebook data to influence the Brexit and Trump elections.
- What challenges did Facebook face in Brazil? During Dilma Rousseff’s presidency, Facebook faced legal issues and blocking orders due to electoral norm violations.
