In continuation of the previous proceedings the Delhi Assembly Committee on Peace and Harmony under the Chairmanship of Raghav Chadha will examine digital strategist and former journalist Mark S. Luckie, a key witness in light of the allegations and issues raised in the complaints against the social media giant Facebook.
Mark S Luckie- digital strategist, former journalist, author and a former employee of the Facebook Incorporation who left the organisation in November, 2018 after claiming that it inculcates a misguided work system within the company which has led to division in communities especially by the actions and inactions of the company.
Highlighting the rampant racism operating within the companies framework, he has published a memo where he pointed out that 'Minorities are finding that their attempts to create "safe spaces" on Facebook for conversation among themselves are being derailed by the platform itself. “Non-black people are reporting what are meant to be positive efforts as hate speech, despite them often not violating Facebook’s terms of service. Their content is removed without notice. Accounts are suspended indefinitely.' The said memo was removed by Facebook citing that it violated its community standards,” the committee said in a statement.
“For the very first time, an international Facebook employee has come forward to depose before a committee in India with a view to lift the veil of the corporation and delve into the realities behind the curtain. Hence, his testimony will be extremely crucial and critical to the current proceedings carried out by the committee,” it said.
Luckie has also asserted that owing to company’s inherent biased modus of operation, minority communities are not able to trust that Facebook have their best interests at heart and Underrepresented groups are being systematically excluded from communication, it said, adding that he has openly called out Facebook for dismissive attitude towards prevalent prejudices and exclusionary approach in its functionality.
To verify the veracity of similar allegations put forth by various complainants to the committee, Luckie has been summoned for examination before the committee.
“So far the committee has received inputs from the experts who have been observing the functioning of Facebook from outside. But through Luckie, the Committee shall be acquainted with the subtleties of the huge incorporation, especially from someone who has worked closely within the framework,” he said.
Pursuant to vetting of the complaints and taking prompt cognizance of the issue, the committee in its earlier meetings has examined certain independent and expert witnesses having regards to the issue of grave public importance set out in the complaints set out against Facebook, it added.
In view thereof, to subserve its fundamental objective and rationale to maintain peace and harmony across Delhi, the committee had decided to delve into the matter of concern raised in the complaints and consequently the proceedings were initiated and expedited in conformity with the terms of reference of the Delhi Legislative Assembly's Committee on Peace and Harmony.