Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has claimed that high-ranking officials in the Biden administration pressured Facebook to remove certain COVID-19 content during the pandemic, stating that the company would resist similar demands in the future.
In a letter addressed to Rep. Jim Jordan, the Republican chair of the House Judiciary Committee, Zuckerberg accused White House officials of persistently pressuring Facebook over several months to eliminate particular content related to COVID-19, which included humor and satire. He reported that officials expressed significant frustration when Facebook did not comply. The letter, dated August 26, highlighted Zuckerberg’s regret over the company’s response, as he stated, “I believe the government pressure was wrong and I regret that we were not more outspoken about it. I also think we made some choices that, with the benefit of hindsight and new information, we wouldn’t make today. We’re ready to push back if something like this happens again.”
In response, the White House emphasized its commitment to public health during the pandemic, stating that it encouraged responsible actions to protect citizens. They maintained that tech companies and other private entities should consider the impact of their actions on the American public while still making independent decisions about the information they choose to disseminate.
In early 2021, Facebook began adding what Zuckerberg described as labels containing “credible information” to posts regarding COVID-19 vaccines. Back in April 2020, as the virus caused widespread lockdowns and restrictions, Facebook warned users against sharing misinformation related to COVID-19.
Zuckerberg further announced that he would cease making financial contributions aimed at enhancing voter access through the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the philanthropic organization he founded with his wife, Priscilla Chan. The couple had previously contributed $400 million to assist local election offices in preparation for the 2020 presidential election. Zuckerberg clarified, “I know that some people believe this work benefited one party over the other. My goal is to be neutral and not play a role one way or another – or to even appear to be playing a role. So I don’t plan on making a similar contribution this cycle.”