Mr Zuckerberg visited every US state, ran 365 miles and learned Mandarin since he first started doing these annual challenges in 2009. REUTERS/Stephen Lam/File Photo
Mr Zuckerberg visited every US state, ran 365 miles and learned Mandarin since he first started doing these annual challenges in 2009. REUTERS/Stephen Lam/File Photo
Mr Zuckerberg visited every US state, ran 365 miles and learned Mandarin since he first started doing these annual challenges in 2009. REUTERS/Stephen Lam/File Photo
Mr Zuckerberg visited every US state, ran 365 miles and learned Mandarin since he first started doing these annual challenges in 2009. REUTERS/Stephen Lam/File Photo

Mark Zuckerberg's personal goal for 2018? Fix Facebook


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Protecting users of the social network from abuse and hate and defending it from nation state interference are part of Facebook Inc Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg’s 2018 personal challenge.

Mr Zuckerberg visited every US state, ran 365 miles and learned Mandarin since he first started doing these annual challenges in 2009.

Social media companies including Twitter have been pressured by regulators and the European Union to take more steps to remove hate speech on their platforms.

“We won’t prevent all mistakes or abuse, but we currently make too many errors enforcing our policies and preventing misuse of our tools,” Mr Zuckerberg said.

He addressed concerns over whether working on his business constitutes a personal challenge: "This may not seem like a personal challenge on its face, but I think I'll learn more by focusing intensely on these issues than I would by doing something completely separate. These issues touch on questions of history, civics, political philosophy, media, government, and of course technology. I'm looking forward to bringing groups of experts together to discuss and help work through these topics".

Facebook has faced harsh criticism over its failure to prevent Russian operatives from using its platform for meddling in the 2016 US elections.

Mr Zuckerberg has repeatedly condemned Russia’s attempts to influence the elections through Facebook posts and advertisements and pledged last year to ramp up spending to confront the problem.

McLaren GT specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: seven-speed

Power: 620bhp

Torque: 630Nm

Price: Dh875,000

On sale: now

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3

Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)

Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)

Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)

Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)

Dolittle

Director: Stephen Gaghan

Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Michael Sheen

One-and-a-half out of five stars

The Bio

Hometown: Bogota, Colombia
Favourite place to relax in UAE: the desert around Al Mleiha in Sharjah or the eastern mangroves in Abu Dhabi
The one book everyone should read: 100 Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez. It will make your mind fly
Favourite documentary: Chasing Coral by Jeff Orlowski. It's a good reality check about one of the most valued ecosystems for humanity