A former Meta executive, Sarah Wynn-Williams, testified before U.S. senators on Wednesday, alleging that the company compromised national security to build a lucrative business in China.
Wynn-Williams, who previously served as Meta's global public policy director, claimed that company executives allowed the Chinese Communist Party to access Meta user data, including that of American citizens, as part of efforts to expand its operations in China.
Meta, however, strongly disputed Wynn-Williams's accusations. "Sarah Wynn-Williams' testimony is divorced from reality and riddled with false claims," said Meta spokesperson Ryan Daniels. He added that while CEO Mark Zuckerberg has publicly expressed interest in operating in China, Meta does not currently offer its services there. Nevertheless, Meta does generate significant advertising revenue from Chinese advertisers.
During her testimony before the Senate judiciary subcommittee, Wynn-Williams also accused Meta of working closely with Beijing to develop censorship tools. She specifically cited the company’s decision to delete the Facebook account of Chinese dissident Guo Wengui, who lives in the U.S., after pressure from Chinese authorities. Meta maintains that Wengui's account was unpublished and suspended for violating its Community Standards.
Wynn-Williams described her personal experiences with the company's collaboration with the Chinese government, stating, "One thing the Chinese Communist Party and Mark Zuckerberg share is that they want to silence their critics."
In addition to her testimony, Wynn-Williams released a memoir, "Careless People," in March, which includes critical claims about her time at Facebook. Meta had sought to block the promotion of the book, calling it "false and defamatory."
Senator Josh Hawley, who led Wednesday’s hearing, accused Meta of trying to prevent Wynn-Williams from speaking out. He claimed the company had threatened her with financial penalties, alleging Meta intended to impose $50,000 in punitive damages each time she publicly mentioned Facebook.
Wynn-Williams shared that the ordeal had taken a personal toll on her, describing the decision to testify as incredibly difficult. "The last four weeks have been very difficult," she told the committee.
Meta's spokesperson did not directly address whether the company would pursue financial penalties in response to Wynn-Williams's testimony, but clarified that she was not prohibited from testifying before Congress. The ongoing legal disputes and accusations reflect growing tensions over the company's practices, both domestically and internationally.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has alleged that Meta Platforms offered signing bonuses as high as $100 million to OpenAI employees in an attempt to recruit top talent, underscoring the intensifying competition among tech firms for artificial intelligence expertise.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has launched a 'superintelligence' project to take artificial intelligence to a new level. According to Bloomberg, Zuckerberg is assembling an exclusive team of leading AI experts to create technology that surpasses human-level capabilities.
Kazakhstan and Meta are exploring joint efforts to boost AI innovation, strengthen digital safety, and enhance online protections for the youth. A new Instagram tool for teens and a forum at Maqsut Narikbayev University mark steps toward safer digital spaces.
Meta and Russian search engine Yandex have been secretly tracking what Android users do on their web browsers—even when users are in private or incognito mode—according to experts from Radboud University and IMDEA Networks.
Meta is turning to nuclear power to meet its rising energy needs for artificial intelligence and computing.
The U.S. military has repositioned aircraft and naval vessels from key Middle East installations to safeguard personnel and assets amid rising tensions with Iran, two U.S. officials said on Wednesday.
The United States has resumed processing student visa applications but now requires foreign applicants to disclose their social media profiles for scrutiny, as part of a broader national security directive.
North Korea launched over 10 rockets from near Pyongyang on Thursday, prompting fresh concerns in the region.
The U.S. Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Wednesday at 4.25%–4.50%, while maintaining its projection for two rate cuts by the end of 2025.
KazMunayGas (KMG) and China’s Sinopec have reached an agreement on the terms for jointly implementing the Berezovski subsoil use project in Kazakhstan’s West Kazakhstan region. The signed documents outline joint activities and formalize the strategic partnership between the two companies.
Peace is no longer a dream. It is a discussion. On the streets of Baku and Yerevan, it is also a question, of trust, of foreign interests, and of who truly wants it.
Israeli strikes have reportedly targeted areas near the residences of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, according to the New York Times, citing local witnesses.
Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has cancelled certain flights scheduled for 13th and 14th June amid recent escalation of situation in the Middle East and the closure of airspace in several countries for security reasons.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for June 17th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has alleged that Meta Platforms offered signing bonuses as high as $100 million to OpenAI employees in an attempt to recruit top talent, underscoring the intensifying competition among tech firms for artificial intelligence expertise.
The Trump Organization has unveiled "Trump Mobile," a $499 smartphone and wireless service aimed at conservative consumers, marking its entry into the highly competitive telecom market.
Scientists at the South China University of Technology have engineered a new ceramic material that pushes the boundaries of heat resistance, a development with major implications for hypersonic flight, rocket engines, and energy production.
The National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) has announced a landmark shift in its electoral process, declaring that the general elections scheduled for mid-2026 will be conducted using a fully digital system.
Prime Minister Petteri Orpo has announced Finland's ambition to host a European AI gigafactory. The move aims to boost national growth by building on the success of the LUMI supercomputer, with telecommunications giant Nokia poised to lead the project's business consortium.
The U.S. military has repositioned aircraft and naval vessels from key Middle East installations to safeguard personnel and assets amid rising tensions with Iran, two U.S. officials said on Wednesday.
The United States has resumed processing student visa applications but now requires foreign applicants to disclose their social media profiles for scrutiny, as part of a broader national security directive.
North Korea launched over 10 rockets from near Pyongyang on Thursday, prompting fresh concerns in the region.
The U.S. Federal Reserve left its benchmark interest rate unchanged on Wednesday at 4.25%–4.50%, while maintaining its projection for two rate cuts by the end of 2025.
KazMunayGas (KMG) and China’s Sinopec have reached an agreement on the terms for jointly implementing the Berezovski subsoil use project in Kazakhstan’s West Kazakhstan region. The signed documents outline joint activities and formalize the strategic partnership between the two companies.
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