Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has long been a subject of public scrutiny, congressional hearings, and even Hollywood portrayals. However, a new book by former Facebook executive Sarah Wynn-Williams delivers one of the most critical insider accounts yet, shedding light on what she describes as a toxic culture of power, greed, and disregard for responsibility within the company’s leadership.
Wynn-Williams, who worked at Facebook from 2011 to 2017 as a director of global policy, alleges that she was fired after accusing Joel Kaplan, now Meta’s president of global affairs, of sexual harassment. Her book, Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, offers a detailed and damning critique of Zuckerberg and his inner circle, including former COO Sheryl Sandberg and Kaplan.
Meta quickly moved to suppress the book’s release, citing a non-disparagement agreement Wynn-Williams had signed. On Wednesday, the company won an interim arbitration ruling barring her from selling or promoting the book further. However, her publisher, Flatiron Books, has continued distribution, with Careless People rapidly climbing to No. 3 on Amazon’s bestsellers list.
Meta spokesperson Erin Logan dismissed the book’s claims as “outdated, misleading, and false accusations,” particularly denying the allegations against Kaplan. She also criticized the book’s fact-checking process, while Flatiron Books defended the publication as thoroughly vetted.
The book portrays Zuckerberg as a leader unwilling to take responsibility for his mistakes, displaying an impulsive temper and a lack of historical awareness. One anecdote even describes him as an extremely sore loser in a board game, symbolizing his broader leadership flaws.
“You’d hope that people who amass the kind of power Facebook has would develop a sense of responsibility, but they don’t,” Wynn-Williams writes. “In fact, the more they see the consequences of their actions, the less they seem to care.”
Beyond Meta’s internal issues, the book raises concerns about the broader implications of social media monopolies, particularly as China’s technological influence expands. With Chinese-owned platforms like TikTok shaping global discourse and concerns over data privacy mounting, the unchecked power of Big Tech—including American firms—poses a significant national security risk. Critics argue that as U.S. companies like Meta prioritize profits over ethical responsibility, they leave an open door for foreign actors, including China, to manipulate narratives, collect user data, and exert influence over American society.
This issue is particularly concerning as China continues to develop its own digital empire, using artificial intelligence and cyber tools to shape political outcomes worldwide. The United States cannot afford to ignore the vulnerabilities in its tech sector, as allowing China to gain more control over global digital platforms could have severe consequences for national security, free speech, and the democratic process.
Wynn-Williams’ account serves as a warning about the dangers of corporate overreach and the consequences of failing to regulate powerful technology firms. As Meta attempts to suppress the book, its revelations highlight the urgent need for scrutiny—not only of Silicon Valley giants but also of foreign entities seeking to exploit weaknesses in the digital landscape. The growing influence of China in global tech ecosystems should alarm both policymakers and the public, as it represents an unprecedented challenge to American sovereignty and digital independence.
