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Covid and censorship : Mark Zuckerberg’s belated confession

- 3:31 pm
Mark Zuckerberg (Anthony Quintano Flickr)

Mark Zuckerberg (Anthony Quintano Flickr)

The Meta boss accuses the White House of pressure to censor content on its platforms (Facebook, Instagram), notably during the Covid crisis. The scandal has come to light at a time when the French justice system has just arrested Telegram boss Pavel Durov in Paris.

Better late than never. In a letter sent to the US Congress on Monday August 26, 2024, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg reveals that the Biden administration has allegedly pushed for the censorship of COVID-19-related information on its platforms. This revelation comes at a tense time in the run-up to the US presidential election.

Self-criticism and regret

In his missive, Zuckerberg acknowledges having yielded to pressure regarding content linked to the Covid-19 pandemic, calling it a mistake. He expresses his regrets and asserts that such decisions would no longer be taken today. Meta’s boss pledges to resist any future pressure from any administration. Good, but a little late.

The Hunter Biden affair resurfaces

Zuckerberg also mentions the controversial episode of the New York Post article on Hunter Biden, son of the current president. He admits that the decision to limit distribution of this article was a mistake, acknowledging that it was not Russian disinformation as initially suspected.

Towards claimed neutrality

Meta’s CEO announces that he will stop contributing financially to support the US election infrastructure, in order to avoid any perception of bias. The letter, hailed by Republicans as a “great victory for free speech”, marks a turning point in relations between digital giants and political power in the USA.

Pavel Durov’s arrest in France

This confession by Meta’s boss has a particular resonance in France, where the judicial authorities have just arrested Telegram’s CEO, whom they accuse of not cooperating sufficiently to censor content on his 900-million-strong platform. The 39-year-old French-Russian computer scientist is countering the French authorities with his concern to respect the freedom of expression of those who exchange on Telegram.
The truth about the pandemic and the anti-Covid vaccines is gradually coming to light. Information, or more accurately disinformation, was under the control of the press and tech giants. Public opinion had been fooled for three years by the highest political and health authorities, for nefarious reasons. In the United States, as in Europe and therefore in France, the reality had to be covered up to allow a structured and corrupt global network to rake in colossal sums.
But sooner or later, justice will have to take its course.

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