What Can We Take Away from Zuckerberg’s Testimony ?

The much awaited hearing of Mark Zuckerberg took place in front of a joint session of the commerce and Judicial committees took place. The aim of the hearing was to find out how Facebook allowed its users’ information to be leaked out to the political data-mining firm Cambridge Analytica. Zuckerberg answered all the probing questions patiently and calmly. Zuckerberg had time and again reiterated that Facebook was working out a way to protect its user’s data and to prevent such a mistake from happening again.  Some of the ways he mentioned are-making it easy for the users to find the privacy shortcuts, allowing public inspection of political ads and labeling them and the rewarding those who find out data misuse.

Facebook has huge power

Mark Zuckerberg could name his biggest competitor when the question was posed to him by Senator Lindsey Graham. The senators feel Facebook has a lot of power and even asked Zuckerberg if he felt Facebook was too powerful, to which he replied he didn’t feel like it. The senators do not have any way to increase competition in the social media market.

A paid ad-free version of Facebook

The senators asked Zuckerberg how Facebook would protect the privacy of its users as it collects so much information about their users. They wanted to understand Facebook’s business model. They were wondering if there would be a paid version of Facebook someday in the future. Zuckerberg felt it was a great idea. However, he told the free version will always be there.

Facebook’s connection with special counsel Robert S Mueller

Zuckerberg has affirmed Facebook is cooperating with Mueller who is investigating Russia’s involvement in the 2016 elections and Facebook was used in it. He also mentioned he would not like to reveal anything as the whole procedure is confidential and he has to be careful not to divulge anything important.

Some senators are unable to fathom how Facebook operates.

Senators wonder how Facebook works and manages to gain revenue in spite of it being free for users.

Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R-Utah) asked Zuckerberg, “How do you sustain a business model in which users don't pay for your service?”

Zuckerberg replied, “Senator, we run ads.” Zuckerberg paused before he answered this question as he was surprised the senators did not understand Facebook’s business model .

How Facebook’s ad targeting so effective-this urban legend is part of the congressional record.

Senator Gary Peters questioned Zuckerberg whether Facebook’s ad targeting is so precise because it snoops on its users’ conversation through their phone’s microphone. Zuckerberg replied with an emphatic- NO. However, the matter has been recorded in the testimony.

Zuckerberg is not good at public speaking

Zuckerberg went through four practice sessions before his testimony according to NBC. He also hired a team of experts to give him a crash course. Zuckerberg apparently hates to speak in public.

Senators feel Facebook’s user agreement sucks

Senators bombarded Zuckerberg with many questions and there were many he did not answer. However, one statement summed up the whole Facebook issue. Senator John Kennedy said quite aptly, “your user agreement sucks”.

Zuckerberg feels Artificial Intelligence will help Facebook.

Zuckerberg informed the senators that AI will help Facebook to sort out the controversial posts and hate speeches that flood it. Artificial will be its moderation tool. How far it is possible is left to be seen.