Facebook provides the chance to work on products that impact billions, but it also raises significant concerns about privacy, misinformation, and content moderation. As the readings explain, ethical compromises are often part of working at large, influential companies. The Facebook Papers revealed how the company prioritized engagement over societal well-being, allowing harmful content to thrive on the platform. This is particularly troubling for product and technical roles tied to Facebook’s core content or engagement algorithms, where these ethical challenges are most pronounced.
Additionally, Facebook has faced other scandals, including the Cambridge Analytica data privacy breach in 2018, which exposed the company’s vulnerabilities in protecting user data. More recently, Facebook has been criticized for its handling of disinformation during global elections and the spread of harmful content related to public health crises, such as COVID-19.
Given my four years of work experience in private equity, even if I had to make a difficult pivot to product management, I would consider joining Facebook only if the role aligned with my values. For instance, I’d be more inclined to work in Metaverse development, an area that focuses on innovation without the same ethical concerns tied to content moderation. Because this isn’t my first role, I would prioritize ethical alignment in my career choices.
