Senator Hawley Denounces Meta's Legal Tactics Against Whistleblower
US Senator Josh Hawley has accused Meta of employing lawfare in an effort to destroy whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams, the former global head of public policy at Facebook. In a letter to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Hawley demanded to know what measures the company has taken to monitor Wynn-Williams and her family, alleging that Meta is trying to make truthful speech perilous for whistleblowers.
Wynn-Williams' Allegations and Silencing
Wynn-Williams made allegations in her memoir, Careless People: A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, including claims that Meta worked with the Chinese government on censorship tools and that its platforms negatively impacted teenagers. However, an interim arbitration ruling secured by Meta prevents her from speaking about the book. She sat in silence at the Hay literary festival in Wales earlier this year and is now suing Meta over the restrictions.
Meta strongly disputes the book, calling it false, and describes her legal case as a ploy to sell more copies. A Meta spokesperson stated: 'This former employee is trying to use the legal process to sell books, which an arbitrator already ruled broke the agreement she signed with the company when she accepted a large severance payment years ago. Her book is divorced from reality, disparaging and riddled with false claims.'
Hawley's Concerns Over Meta's Conduct
Hawley, whose Senate judiciary subcommittee on crime and counter-terrorism took evidence from Wynn-Williams last year, wrote: 'Meta's efforts to destroy Ms Wynn-Williams with lawfare are a matter of grave public concern.' He added that she raised serious questions about Meta's dealings with the Chinese government and harms to users, testifying despite 'extraordinary pressure from Meta to silence her before the hearing.'
Hawley demanded documents related to any Meta attempts to monitor Wynn-Williams or her family's public statements, interviews, social media activity, or travel. In a recent lawsuit, Wynn-Williams' legal team accused Meta of surveilling her public appearances, including photographing her and recording her movements in the UK.
Meta's Response and Financial Details
Meta disputes that Wynn-Williams faces bankruptcy, noting she received a $780,000 severance package. New York magazine reported she also received a book advance of over $500,000. Meta's legal filing argues that she waived objections to arbitration by actively participating. Meta has previously stated it does not operate services in China and denied targeting teenagers based on emotional state.
Hawley concluded: 'Congress cannot permit giant corporations like Meta to crush good people who blow the whistle on corporate wrongdoing.'
