Real deal or PR stunt?

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A few weeks ago, I read it Careless person Sarah Wynn-Williams is a former Meta director who worked at the company from 2011 to 2017. In it, Wynn-Williams provides an exposé on the internal operation of Meta (and then Facebook) and the toxicity that penetrates the tissue. She offers a first-hand view of the appearance of building one of the world’s largest companies: good, bad and ugly. From her account (whether browsing her sexual harassment in coworkers and bosses), it was mostly bad and ugly.

This brings up a bigger question: How does large technology think it is helping marginalized communities despite the social impact of oral service on them? Will the harm outweigh the benefits in the end?

Facebook and Internet.org

exist Careless personFacebook’s social influence initiative Internet. As Zuckerberg puts it, “Everyone deserves access to basic internet services free.” The mission promises to expand access to resources, education and opportunities, and ultimately improve people’s daily lives.

Have you heard of Internet.org? Probably not…because it never really happened.

Facebook (now meta) has launched Internet.org with its stated goal to connect people around the world with free Internet access. Zuckerberg believes that “if you know something, you can share and then the world becomes richer.” While the idea seems noble, execution is far from reaching its grand vision. Frankly, shouldn’t we prioritize world hunger? poor? Salary gap? Clean water? There are many urgent issues that can be said to be more direct attention.

The real failure began when Zuckerberg used Internet.org to boost Facebook’s public image.

In 2015, Zuckerberg participated in the UN Private Sector Forum under the leadership of public policy chief Sarah Wynn-Williams during Facebook’s rapid rise. There, he tried to start serving refugee camps by announcing Internet.org and gain favor through skeptical world leaders, including former German Prime Minister Angela Merkel. according to Careless personthe announcement turned a blind eye to Facebook’s team. They never discussed such an extension, nor did they have internal plans to implement it. At that time, Wynn Williams realized that this was not a social impact project, but a PR stunt. Does Zuckerberg mean very well? perhaps. But, there is no plan to comply with the plan’s public commitment? That’s not only careless; reckless.

This is not the first (or unfortunately the last time) of Big Tech, which leverages marginalized communities to enhance its image.

How large technologies continue to fail marginalized communities

Take Amazon as an example. Consumer Reports’ 2021 survey found that most Amazon warehouses are located in communities with disproportionate numbers of low-income residents and people of color. These sprawling facilities bring uninterrupted truck traffic, pollution and noise, usually within neighborhoods of houses, playgrounds and schools. In Chicago’s Gage Park, nearly 90% of residents are Hispanic, and one local report said the cracks in his house were due to the rumble of daily delivery trucks.

Meanwhile, Amazon’s retail stores and Whole Foods locations appear more frequently in wealthy white neighborhoods. This pattern of environmental racism – masquerading as economic development – ​​shows how large technologies can leverage systemic inequality to promote their empires while leaving frontline communities to bear the costs.

Why is this important and what should we do?

Why is this important? Large-scale technology has been woven into our daily lives. I’m typing this article on my Apple MacBook. I order regularly from Amazon (although I will support small businesses as much as possible). Yes, I still have a Facebook account.

While it may not be possible to get rid of large-scale technology, we must recognize that its impact goes far beyond the products we use. Its impact on marginalized communities – through failed social planning and performative, Trojan-style initiatives – should be under scrutiny. Only in this way can we make wise choices about how to interact with these companies.

Then what should we do? First, please stay informed. Know where your product comes from, pay for your convenience and what the company does behind the scenes. legislation that supports companies’ accountability for environmental and racial injustice. Transparency and community input are required before new facilities are approved. Where possible, shop from local businesses that invest rather than leverage their community.

Large technologies won’t change unless we ask.

Source – Internet.org

Further reading