Many have heard of Frances Haugen — the Facebook whistleblower who used more than 20,000 pages of documents to reveal that the social media company knew it was using algorithms that rewarded extremism, but chose not to change them, even as its forums, pages and videos were being used to incite violence and spread lies.
She also provided evidence that the company ignored its own research about its effects on child and adolescent mental health, and largely ignored the issue of underage users. What hasn’t been reported are the moments in Haugen’s life that gave her the strength to get to that instant — including the tragic death of her childhood best friend and a debilitating illness that left her temporarily unable to work or walk.
Haugen joins host Robin Young to discuss her new memoir, “The Power of One: How I Found the Strength to Tell the Truth and Why I Blew the Whistle on Facebook.”
The cover of “The Power of One: How I Found the Strength to Tell the Truth and Why I Blew the Whistle on Facebook” by Frances Haugen. (Courtesy)
By Frances Haugen
“Don’t worry,” the boy said, looking up at me as we rode the elevator in the United States Capitol. “I’ve been doing this for a while and even I get butterflies sometimes.” His words startled me out of my controlled breathing, a calming exercise I’ve found helps center me when I feel anxious. From the moment we had exited the White House and boarded the shuttle that whisked us to the Capitol, I...
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