Zuckerberg’s Testimony

 
 
 

Vocabulary

versus	network	social network
CEO	stock (2)	launch (2)
senate	hearing	articulate
oath	analytic	under oath
alleged	mistake	swear/swore/sworn (2)
protect	broad (2)	responsibility
user	view (2)	appearance
privacy	suck (2)	regulation
willing	principle	round (3)
codify	take part	transparency
critic	security	take it seriously
team	election	interference
apology	criticism	account (2)
last (3)	violence	campaign
reveal	scandal	inappropriately
obtain	minority	consultancy
aware	congress	appear (2)
tie (3)	platform	inner workings
delete	share (3)	choose/chose/chosen
incite	measure	off the top of my head
testify	principal	House of Representatives

 
 
 
 

Video: Zuckerberg’s Hearing

 
 
 
 

Transcript

It was the social network versus the US Congress. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg, one of the world’s youngest CEOs, testified before one of America’s oldest senates.

Almost half of the US Senate took part in the hearing that lasted more than five hours. Zuckerberg, who was not sworn in under oath, began his first ever congressional appearance with an apology.

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO: “We didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake.

And it was my mistake. And I’m sorry.

I started Facebook. I run it. And I’m responsible what happens here.”

That wasn’t enough for some senators, who want to see Facebook take stronger steps to protect user data and privacy, possibly under new government regulations.

Senator John Kennedy, Louisiana Republican: “Your user agreement sucks. As a user, are you willing to give me more control over my data?”

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO: “As someone who uses Facebook, I believe you should have complete control over your data.

If we’re not communicating this clearly, that’s a big thing we should work on. Because I think the principles you’re articulating, are the ones we believe in and try to codify in the product that we build.”

Critics say Zuckerberg and his team are not taking transparency, privacy and security seriously enough, whether it’s alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, United Nations’ criticism of inciting violence against Myanmar’s Rohingya Muslim minority.

Or the Cambridge Analytic scandal, which revealed that eighty-seven (87) million Facebook users had their data inappropriately obtained by a political consultancy tied to the Trump presidential campaign.

At several points in the hearing, Zuckerberg appeared unaware of some of the inner workings of the platform he built and launched in 2004, as a nineteen (19) year old Harvard student.

Senator Dean Heller, Nevada Republican: “How long do you keep a user’s data? If they choose to delete their account, how long do you keep their data?”

Mark Zuckerberg, Facebook CEO: “I don’t know the answer to that off the top of my head.”

If share price is any measure, Zuckerberg performed well before the US Sanate: Facebook stock had its best day in two years.

Zuckerberg is in for another round of questioning, this time by the House of Representatives.

 

Questions

1. Mark Zuckerberg was presenting and promoting Facebook to business leaders. True or false?

2. Did Mark promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?

3. Mark completely denied any wrongdoing. Is this correct or incorrect?

4. Was the first senator diplomatic or blunt? What was the main goal of the US senators? What did they want Zuckerberg and Facebook to do?

5. What are the main complains against Facebook? What are some scandals involving Facebook?

6. At times, did Zuckerberg appear defensive and off-balanced?

7. As a result of the congressional hearing, Facebook as company is in trouble. They are facing serious problems. Is this entirely right, mostly right, partially right, wrong or completely wrong?

 

A. All my friends have Facebook accounts. Yes or no? Are you and your friends active Facebook users?

B. Is Facebook very important for many people? Are some people obsessed or even addicted to Facebook?

C. Facebook affects and influences everything. What do you think?

D. Does your company or organization have a Facebook account?

E. What will happen in the future?

F. What should the government and, or people do?