LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Elon Musk ignited a fresh controversy by throwing shade at Mark Zuckerberg, claiming that Facebook is influencing its audience on a global scale. Musk alleged that Facebook not releasing its algorithm buttresses his argument.
Having acquired Twitter (now X) in October 2022, Musk's dispute with Zuckerberg began when reports emerged that Instagram, a part of Zuckerberg's Meta platform, was working on an X competitor called Threads.
Elon Musk claims Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook is manipulating the public
On Wednesday, August 23, Elon Musk tweeted, "Facebook is manipulating the public almost everywhere on Earth. That is why they won’t open source their algorithm." Musk's tweet quoted a post revealing an investigation that alleged Facebook funded activists advocating for censorship during a national referendum.
The quoted tweet read, "Mark Zuckerberg says Facebook has independent fact checkers, is open to all perspectives, and doesn’t interfere in elections. But a new investigation found Facebook is funding activists demanding censorship of their enemies during a national referendum."
Elon Musk vs Mark Zuckerberg
People are agreeing with Musk and commenting in support. A user commented that Mark Zuckerberg should be in jail, "Facebook is committing massive election interference in the United States. Shame on House Republicans for not holding Mark Zuckerberg accountable. Zuck belongs in jail."
Another wrote, "Any concerns about transparency manipulation and accountability could be laid to rest if the company was to open source their algorithm... just waiting for those algorithms... hey any word on those algorithms."
"Why is Mark Zuckerberg not hold accountable?" asked a third, while fourth added, "EXCITED TO SEE X PUT FAKEBOOK IN THE GRAVE ONCE AND FOR ALL :)"
Someone else wrote, "Elon the only reason anyone still logs onto Facebook is to get a reminder of who's birthday it is today. If you bring that feature to X, Facebook will be done."
Meanwhile, a few others defended Facebook. One wrote, "Whether they open source it or not, they have their own reasons not to do that. This is not a competition anymore. How come do you have time to worry about all these things, Elon. Sometimes I get doubt that this account is handled by you or your staff. Please don't let others to bring your vision down to improving X not the world."
Another agreed, saying, "Exactly my thoughts. If Zuck doesn’t want to open source his algorithm, that’s up to him. Because Elon did for Twitter doesn’t make Zuck wrong. Everyone has right to whatever pleases them. Also, saying Facebook manipulates everyone on earth, just to make X look superior is very wrong. This isn’t a competition anymore. It’s becoming obsession."