source: CNN - apologies for poor quality

Mr Zuckerberg volunteered to attend a US Congress meeting on 10/11 April 2018. He was taken to task and reassuringly, the concerns highlighted had either been touched on in some capacity by Facebook already or could be solved going forward.  

After listening to the questioning of Mark Zuckerberg for two days, what I know about Facebook for sure is that they do not sell data and you can choose who you share your data with. With all due respect, Mr Zuckerberg took flack for the tech industry but he gave senators much respect and offers of assistance.  

So, what might work going forward? 

1. Collaboration 

The very issue that hiring was raised a number of times and the NEPT’s (The National Education Technology Plan) statement under Recent Progress and the Road Ahead highlights that the current government education stakeholders also have some way to go to fit the Tech Industry and perhaps collaboration may work a win/win solution with privacy, stakeholders and access to name a few. 

2. A Tech Committee for Legislation 

Both the government and the Tech Industry are breaking new ground and Mr Zuckerberg had been asked, in summary, a number of times if he would provide input for legislation. It was not clear in what capacity, Conference or Select Committee but he politely obliged. Government could legislate top Tech firms to house a government aide to keep a pulse on issues that arise – quickening the pace of action, eliminating any obscurity and become aware sooner of new legislation that may need to be introduced. 

If this not possible, it may be in the interest of government to have teams work with the Tech Industry to solve issues, protect citizens from any new threats similar to those posed by Russia. Whilst collaborating with the Tech Industry to maintain its position of world leader, especially in light of the emerging competition from the East.  

3. Data Control 

Mr Zuckerberg quietly took the flack for collecting data though there was no mention that most sites harvest data in cookies. Perhaps a way forward may be to legislate a cookie opt-out; or for businesses using cookies, to be prohibited from re-using the cookie data; keeping in mind that internet adverts provide affordable advertising rates for businesses driving our economy. However, the internet is changing fast and blockchain platforms may hold new challenges.

4. Monopoly

Facebook, its subsidiaries and acquisitions have kept it at world leader status; however, international competition may follow their model and mimic its success. Congress was probably right not to tackle monopoly head on; if Facebook was deconstructed it would be an expensive loss to the economy. As Mr Zuckerberg pointed out, Facebook’s primary aim is to connect people and it’s becoming an increasingly powerful platform in the next US Mid-Term elections and internationally with Brazil, Hungary, India and Pakistan’s elections. Mr Zuckerberg has committed to increasing his security team and AI investments to ensure past mistakes from Russian infiltration into the Trump election are not repeated. 

5. Diversity 

Senator Butterfield’s issue of retention and diversity was interesting; had Mr Zuckerberg held a mirror to reflect on the room’s diversity  and then asked about the current administration’s retention rate, he may have drawn a pause from the room. A poor televised picture quality above reflects the room. 

This is by no means belittles the importance of diversity in the workplace, but this perhaps needs a more positive focus from both sides. 

It was clear that there is a willingness to work together to solve issues. With the internet being introduced around 1995, there have been many lessons learned on both sides. Perhaps this week’s event has created a new space involving government, the Tech Industry and the general public to create a new collaborative structure, giving time, allowing questions to continue to be asked and for answers to be heard, that is a force for good, where we can all remain connected.

source: CNN
https://tech.ed.gov/netp/introduction/
https://fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/98-241.pdf
https://www.usa.gov/optout-instructions
https://newsroom.fb.com/news/2017/08
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/diversity-and-inclusion/  
https://www.washingtonpost.com
https://digital.com/about/altavista/