1. Privacy Violations

One of the most significant criticisms is Facebook’s repeated mishandling of user data, including:

• Cambridge Analytica Scandal (2018): Facebook allowed the political consulting firm Cambridge Analytica to harvest data from millions of users without their explicit consent, which was later used to influence elections, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election.
• Data Sharing Practices: Facebook has faced scrutiny for sharing user data with third-party apps and advertisers, often without users being fully aware of the extent of this practice.

2. Manipulation of Information

Facebook has been accused of not doing enough to stop the spread of misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories on its platform, which has had real-world consequences. This includes:

• Election Interference: Facebook was implicated in allowing misinformation and foreign interference in elections, including the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the Brexit referendum.
• COVID-19 Misinformation: The platform has been slow to remove harmful misinformation related to COVID-19 and vaccines, which some argue has led to vaccine hesitancy and public health risks.

3. Monopolistic Practices

Zuckerberg and Facebook have been accused of employing aggressive tactics to maintain market dominance:

• Acquisitions of Competitors: Facebook’s acquisitions of companies like Instagram and WhatsApp have been seen as an effort to stifle competition and build a social media monopoly.
• Anti-Competitive Behavior: There have been multiple antitrust investigations and lawsuits, particularly in the U.S. and the European Union, accusing Facebook of using its dominance to squash smaller competitors.

4. Exploitation of User Addiction

Critics have pointed out that Facebook’s algorithms are designed to maximize user engagement, often by promoting sensational or emotionally charged content, which can lead to addiction and negative mental health outcomes. This includes:

• Amplification of Harmful Content: Facebook’s algorithms have been shown to prioritize content that provokes anger, fear, or outrage, contributing to the polarization of society and the spread of extremist views.
• Whistleblower Revelations (2021): Former employee Frances Haugen leaked internal documents showing that Facebook was aware of how its platform exacerbated mental health issues among teenagers, especially on Instagram.

5. Handling of Hate Speech and Violence

Facebook has been accused of not doing enough to curb hate speech and content that incites violence:

• Ethnic Violence in Myanmar: Facebook was widely criticized for its role in enabling the spread of hate speech and misinformation that fueled the genocide of the Rohingya people in Myanmar.
• Other Countries: Similar concerns have been raised in other regions, such as Ethiopia and India, where Facebook’s platforms have been used to incite violence and spread hatred.

6. Workplace Culture and Leadership

Zuckerberg has also faced criticism for his leadership style:

• Authoritarian Control: Despite Meta being a public company, Zuckerberg maintains an extraordinary level of control through special voting shares, allowing him to override board decisions and shareholder input.
• Treatment of Employees: Facebook has been criticized for the way it treats its contractors, especially content moderators, many of whom are exposed to disturbing content with insufficient psychological support.

7. Virtual Reality (Metaverse) Concerns

Zuckerberg’s ambitious plan to pivot Facebook into the “Metaverse” has raised ethical concerns:

• Surveillance Risks: Critics argue that expanding into virtual spaces could increase the scope and depth of Facebook’s data collection and surveillance, raising concerns about privacy and digital rights.
• Consolidation of Power: The shift to the metaverse could further cement Zuckerberg’s control over the digital lives of billions, raising concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of a single entity.

While Zuckerberg has repeatedly defended Facebook’s practices, the above points highlight actions that many view as detrimental to privacy, democracy, mental health, and social cohesion.