Facebook's Engagement with China Under Scrutiny: Whistleblower Claims

Tue Oct 21 2025 03:24:18 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A former Facebook executive reveals the company's alleged plans to collaborate with China to control content and access user data.

In a revealing account, former global public policy director Sarah Wynn-Williams claims Facebook worked closely with the Chinese government to explore censorship strategies in exchange for access to the vast Chinese market. Her allegations come in conjunction with a whistleblower complaint filed with the SEC, suggesting misleading practices by Meta. Wynn-Williams insists that the tech giant was prepared to allow censorship of viral posts and potentially share user data to facilitate operations in China. Facing backlash from Meta, which fired her in 2017 for alleged poor performance and toxic behavior, Wynn-Williams is now focused on accountability, emphasizing the need for better safety measures for young users on social media platforms.

A former senior executive at Facebook has raised serious allegations about the company's collaboration with the Chinese government, claiming the social media platform was exploring ways to allow Beijing to censor content to tap into China's massive market. Sarah Wynn-Williams, who served as the global public policy director, made these claims during an interview with the BBC tied to her new memoir, "Careless People."

Wynn-Williams contends that in negotiations with Chinese officials, Facebook was willing to hide viral posts from its users until they could be reviewed by authorities. The whistleblower believes Mark Zuckerberg perceived entry into the Chinese market as a major objective. Despite widespread speculation about Facebook's ambitions in China, Wynn-Williams asserts that its leadership acted inappropriately and in contradiction to the company's foundational principles of free expression.

In her SEC whistleblower complaint, which has been reviewed by the BBC, she alleges that Meta misled investors regarding its dealings with China and claims Facebook provided unique access to software and algorithms to Chinese officials. Wynn-Williams alleges that while the company often withheld technical details from other governments, it went above and beyond to educate China on its systems.

Meta denies the claims, stating Wynn-Williams was fired for performance issues and described her as an anti-Facebook activist seeking to sell her book. The company’s legal team is pursuing action to prevent the spread of purported false information.

Wynn-Williams also sheds light on how the company allegedly tracked young users' emotional states, which she describes as ethically problematic, revealing that Facebook could identify vulnerable teens and target them accordingly. Facebook rebuts these assertions, stating its research endeavors aim to promote a better understanding of how users communicate.

As discussions around social media’s influence intensify, especially regarding young people's safety, Wynn-Williams is advocating for Meta and other tech giants to take substantial measures to ensure user protection and transparency. She stresses that as technology and politics converge, the implications for society can be profound, urging a reevaluation of social media practices to safeguard future generations.