It has been a tough year for Facebook, and the course has continued in the past few days. The Wall Street Journal reportedly reviewed emails suggesting the chief executive of the social media giant, Mark Zuckerberg, knew about third-party app privacy concerns as far back as in 2012. A "deepfake" – an AI-backed technology to create false content – video of Mr Zuckerberg bragging about stealing people's personal data is now going viral on the company's very own platforms – Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
Sheryl Sandberg, chief operating officer of Facebook, still took the podium in front of an international media gathering on Wednesday, including The National. She answered questions – mostly pre-approved.
What does Facebook know?
"We can't hack into your brain … but we do know what you respond to," Ms Sandberg said in response to a statement on how it can seem as if Facebook knows too much about its users.
"With technology and our algorithms, here's what we know: we know who you are connecting to and what you are engaging with. So, for the average person, for every story we show you in your news feed, we have dozens more that we could show, so our algorithms have to prioritise what you want to see."
“No one’s looking at your stuff, no one,” she said.
“Our algorithms naturally show you more of what you engage with. That creates a personalised experience and we think that’s really important … If your news feed and my news feed was the same, we’d be going back 15 years to what is just a basic website, and I don’t think that would enable you to engage with your friends, which is our mission.
Ms Sandberg admitted the fears about technology today are real.
"I don't want to downplay them or minimise them. We have a responsibility to get this right, but it's worth thinking about this from a historical context … They're real today because we're connecting billions of people. The challenge is big, but it is a challenge that comes with every new technology. Our responsibility and our opportunity is to minimise that."
Problem of fake news
Ms Sandberg said striking the balance between censorship and freedom of expression is one of the most difficult things about running a platform that is home to two billion users.
“We don’t want people to see fake news on Facebook, and we’re taking action around the world. We’re referring fake articles to third party fact checkers, where they can then decrease distribution in news feed and share related facts. We do believe that there are situations when, if something’s fake, it could lead to real-world violence. We’ll then take that down.
“For the most part, we’re a free expression platform and we believe that if one person says something that’s false, the best way to fight it is with good information, so we don’t want fake news to go viral on Facebook, and we take away 80 per cent of the distribution, but then we allow related articles, which are the other side of the story, so that debate can be vigorous.”
She said there are real concerns about the size and power of tech companies, particularly US companies. "The question is, what is the answer to making sure we have the right regulatory framework in place."
The chief operating officer added: “Anti-trust is really about consumer protection and making sure consumers have choice, and if you look at our products and what we do, it’s pretty clear that there is a lot of choice. If you want to share a photo or a video today, you can certainly do it on Facebook or Instagram, but you’re also completely likely to do so on Google Photos, Snapchat or YouTube.”
She said people have to pay attention to how much consumer choice there is. "The thing about tech companies is that we are more likely to be usurped by the next generation of tech companies than almost any other industry because, in our industry things change so quickly. But we really believe that the regulatory framework does need to be enhanced.
"We're working hard with regulators around the world on all those areas."
Ms Sandberg agreed with the fact that people are most concerned about companies such as Facebook having too much say in what stays up and what comes down on social media. The company said it is working with France on what could be a co-regulatory framework, and it is open to collaborating with other governments as well.
“We’re also setting up a content board, that’s going to be an independent board that doesn’t report to Mark [Zuckerberg] or me, where content decisions can be made, and we’re going to adhere to those decisions, whether or not it’s something we agree with.
“Across all of these fronts, we all have work to do to make sure we are setting up the right regulatory framework for the internet.”
Psychological well-being
Facebook is investing a lot of time and money into making its service more enriching and less stressful for users.
Ms Sandberg said: "There are things you read that make you feel really good, and things you read that make you feel really bad … and so we figured out with researchers that when you are connecting with real friends and family, and when you are engaging with content [from them], that's psychologically healthy for you. It's not addictive in a bad way, and makes you feel less alone, less isolated and more connected.
"We made a very big shift to our news feed in the beginning of 2018, where you are now seeing more things related to your friends and family, and more things you engage with."
She added: "We're very committed to psychological well-being – to yours, to mine, to all of ours, and we will continue to research, and continue to make sure that the things we're showing you are the things that will be good for you, and not be addictive in any way."
Ms Sandberg did not address the viral deepfake video, but Antigone Davis, the company's global head of safety, said Facebook wouldn't take the video down just because it shows Mr Zuckerberg.
"I can say that I care about all content, regardless of who it is, it doesn't matter if it's Mark Zuckerberg." she said. The company is looking at technologies to address issues such as deepfakes, she added.
Facebook executives said to expect more feature and product roll outs aimed at boosting well-being.
Interestingly, the Silicon Valley headquarters spans dozens of buildings with 27,000 employees, meaning at least two-thirds of the company works here, even though less than 15 per cent of Facebook's users live in the United States.
This sense of tech imperialism is another issue entirely, but, when asked, executives said scaling globally in terms of staffing is a key priority.
Without Remorse
Directed by: Stefano Sollima
Starring: Michael B Jordan
4/5
MATCH DETAILS
Juventus 2 (Bonucci 36, Ronaldo 90 6)
Genoa 1 (Kouame 40)
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
- Senior process engineer: Dh28,000 to Dh38,000
- Senior maintenance engineer: Dh22,000 to Dh34,000
- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
- Field supervisor: Dh9,000 to Dh12,000
- Field operator: Dh5,000 to Dh7,000
Brief scoreline:
Toss: South Africa, elected to bowl first
England (311-8): Stokes 89, Morgan 57, Roy 54, Root 51; Ngidi 3-66
South Africa (207): De Kock 68, Van der Dussen 50; Archer 3-27, Stokes 2-12
Closing the loophole on sugary drinks
As The National reported last year, non-fizzy sugared drinks were not covered when the original tax was introduced in 2017. Sports drinks sold in supermarkets were found to contain, on average, 20 grams of sugar per 500ml bottle.
The non-fizzy drink AriZona Iced Tea contains 65 grams of sugar – about 16 teaspoons – per 680ml can. The average can costs about Dh6, which would rise to Dh9.
Drinks such as Starbucks Bottled Mocha Frappuccino contain 31g of sugar in 270ml, while Nescafe Mocha in a can contains 15.6g of sugar in a 240ml can.
Flavoured water, long-life fruit juice concentrates, pre-packaged sweetened coffee drinks fall under the ‘sweetened drink’ category
Not taxed:
Freshly squeezed fruit juices, ground coffee beans, tea leaves and pre-prepared flavoured milkshakes do not come under the ‘sweetened drink’ band.
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
The%20specs%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
Expo details
Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia
The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.
It is expected to attract 25 million visits
Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.
More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020
The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area
It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South
Basquiat in Abu Dhabi
One of Basquiat’s paintings, the vibrant Cabra (1981–82), now hangs in Louvre Abu Dhabi temporarily, on loan from the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
The latter museum is not open physically, but has assembled a collection and puts together a series of events called Talking Art, such as this discussion, moderated by writer Chaedria LaBouvier.
It's something of a Basquiat season in Abu Dhabi at the moment. Last week, The Radiant Child, a documentary on Basquiat was shown at Manarat Al Saadiyat, and tonight (April 18) the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi is throwing the re-creation of a party tonight, of the legendary Canal Zone party thrown in 1979, which epitomised the collaborative scene of the time. It was at Canal Zone that Basquiat met prominent members of the art world and moved from unknown graffiti artist into someone in the spotlight.
“We’ve invited local resident arists, we’ll have spray cans at the ready,” says curator Maisa Al Qassemi of the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi.
Guggenheim Abu Dhabi's Canal Zone Remix is at Manarat Al Saadiyat, Thursday April 18, from 8pm. Free entry to all. Basquiat's Cabra is on view at Louvre Abu Dhabi until October
Company profile
Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space
Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)
Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)
Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi
Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution)
Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space
Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
Brief scores:
Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first
Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)
Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15
Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)
Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
