Former Facebook Trending Curator Alleges Rampant Sexism (VIDEO)


Earlier this month stories surfaced concerning Facebook allegedly censoring conservative news in the Trending section. Last week, an anonymous female whistleblower formerly on that team made further serious accusations about its management.

The woman, who was a contractor as are all Trending curators, wrote in an article in The Guardian that it was “the most toxic work experience of my life.” She continued:

“…poor management, coupled with intimidation, favoritism and sexism, has resulted in a deeply uncomfortable work environment. Employees I worked with were angry, depressed and left voiceless–especially women.”

Some of the instances of sexism she witnessed or experienced included:

  • Women being silenced when reporting problems in Trending tools or guideline discrepancies
  • No investigation by managers of reports of sexism by direct supervisors
  • High turnover rate of female employees: Since 2014, 10 of the 15 people on the team who have quit have been women, including the author, despite earning salaries of $55,000 to $65,000.

In answer to these allegations, Facebook supplied a statement that said in part:

“Facebook provides everyone–including contractors–with a respectful and safe working environment. Facebook does not tolerate unlawful harassment or any mistreatment in the workplace or in a work-related situation. We take any allegations of such very seriously, whether from employees or contractors, and investigate every complaint.”

However, the author claims that Facebook doesn’t have an HR department that contractors can speak to, and are at the mercy of an internal “Trending feedback group.” This group is made up of Facebook employees, many of whom are not journalists and “can complain about anything we do, while management then shifts the blame down to curators and throws them under the bus.”

She says the effects of this treatment have stayed with her:

“I still carry the fear of speaking up with me. I find myself holding back when I see a problem or afraid to speak up when I have an idea.”

For more on how Facebook’s Trending section works, see the video below:

Featured video via YouTube. Featured image via AFP.

Susan Starr is a freelance writer and editor, writing on liberal topics, spirituality, health, sustainability and the environment. She has a master's degree in liberal studies from Stony Brook University and a certificate in holistic health coaching. In her free time, she reviews books, plays with her miracle Maine Coon Mollie and networks for cat rescue organizations.