Zuckerberg prioritized growth over child safety, ex-Meta exec alleges

A former Meta executive has accused CEO Mark Zuckerberg of fostering a culture that placed child safety second to growth and engagement on Facebook and Instagram. Arturo Bejar, who previously served as an engineering director at Meta, made these claims during his second day of testimony in a significant trial. A coalition of states, including California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey, are suing Meta, alleging the company intentionally designed its platforms to hook young users, contributing to anxiety, depression, and even suicide. They also accuse Meta of violating federal law by mishandling the personal data of children under 13.

“

If Mark makes something a priority, mountains move in months.

Bejar, the first witness for the states, emphasized Zuckerberg's deep involvement in decision-making, stating that product design changes only happened if he ordered them. "If Mark makes something a priority, mountains move in months," Bejar testified. He directly refuted Zuckerberg's previous claims that Meta consistently used research to improve its products, calling them "so false, every part of it." Bejar concluded, "You just cannot trust Mark Zuckerberg with kids."

“

It’s so false, every part of it.

Bejar worked at Meta from 2009 to 2015 and later served as an independent contractor examining the well-being of teenage Instagram users from 2019 to 2021. He has been a vocal critic of Meta's child safety record, having previously testified before a U.S. Senate committee about the company's alleged failure to address harms faced by teenagers on its platforms. During cross-examination, Meta's lawyer questioned Bejar about his own daughter's Instagram account, which he helped set up in 2021 when she was 16. Bejar acknowledged that despite his concerns, his daughter experienced misogynistic comments about her breasts, even as she gained a following.

“

You just cannot trust Mark Zuckerberg with kids.