Former Meta Insider Accuses Zuckerberg Of Power Abuse

Sarah Wynn-Williams, a former Facebook director, has released a scathing memoir, Careless People, portraying Mark Zuckerberg and Meta’s leadership as reckless and power-hungry.

The book, subtitled A Cautionary Tale of Power, Greed, and Lost Idealism, offers an insider’s account of a company she claims abandoned its original values while cozying up to authoritarian regimes and mishandling crises, as reported by the Financial Review (FR).

Meta quickly responded by taking legal action to block Wynn-Williams from selling and promoting the book, citing a non-disparagement agreement. However, the order does not extend to her publisher, Flatiron Books, as noted by Sfgate.

Meta spokesperson Erin Logan dismissed the memoir as “a mix of out-of-date and previously reported claims” and called it “defamatory,” while Flatiron stated the book had been thoroughly vetted, as reported by Sfgate.

Wynn-Williams, who joined Facebook in 2011 and was fired in 2017, accuses Zuckerberg of being unaccountable, out of touch, and even dishonest. She claims he lied during a 2018 Senate hearing on data privacy and downplayed Facebook’s dealings with China, as reported by FR.

She also describes his admiration for former U.S. president Andrew Jackson, saying he once declared Jackson was “America’s best president,” as reported by Sfgate.

The book alleges Zuckerberg lives in a bubble, recounting an incident where he forgot his passport before a trip to Peru and blamed others. She also describes an awkward board game session where he accused her of cheating after losing, reported Sfgame.

Following a meeting with then-President Barack Obama about Facebook’s role in misinformation, Zuckerberg reportedly brooded during the flight home and started plotting a U.S. tour, resembling a political campaign, before suggesting that Facebook could reshape the news ecosystem, as noted by Sfgate.

“You’d hope that people who amass the kind of power Facebook has would learn a sense of responsibility, but they don’t show any sign of having done so,” she writes, as reported by Sfgate.

“The more they see the consequences of their actions, the less of a f—k Mark and Facebook’s leadership give,” she added.

Wynn-Williams also criticizes former COO Sheryl Sandberg, claiming the workplace culture under her was so demanding that she sent talking points while in labor. She alleges open dissent wasn’t tolerated, saying that workers actively hid bad news or situations in fear of being punished, as reported by Sfgate.

Joel Kaplan, now Meta’s head of global policy, is depicted as blocking human rights efforts in Myanmar, where Facebook was accused of enabling violence against Rohingya Muslims, as reported by FR.

Wynn-Williams also accuses him of sexual harassment, claiming he made inappropriate comments and retaliated against her after she reported him. Meta denies these allegations, calling them “misleading and unfounded,” as reported by Sfgate.

Adding to Meta’s growing criticism, the company is facing backlash over a recent wave of layoffs. Meta laid off 3,600 employees, with many accusing the company of unfairly targeting workers on parental and medical leave.

Employees described a tense and unpredictable work environment. Some alleged they were let go while on approved leave, raising concerns about the fairness of the process. “[I] consistently exceeded expectations multiple years, had a baby in 2024, got laid off,” one former employee claimed

Zuckerberg has called 2023 the “year of efficiency,” a trend continuing into 2025. While Meta’s stock has surged 60% this year due to strong digital ad revenue, critics argue the layoffs may signal a broader shift toward AI-driven workforce reductions.

Despite Meta’s efforts to downplay her claims, Careless People has ignited debate over the company’s handling of power, ethics, and accountability.