A Delaware judge has imposed sanctions on former Meta COO Sheryl Sandberg over allegations that she deleted critical emails tied to the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The sanctions stem from a shareholder lawsuit accusing Sandberg and ex-Meta board member Jeff Zients of using personal email accounts to discuss Facebook’s privacy practices. Deleting those emails in violation of court orders, TechCrunch reports.
Shareholder Allegations Against Sandberg and Zients
The lawsuit claims that despite their legal and fiduciary obligations, Sandberg and Zients deliberately used personal email accounts to handle sensitive discussions about Facebook’s privacy policies. It further alleges that emails from these accounts were deleted after a court order required their preservation. Notably, the judge highlighted Sandberg’s use of an alias Gmail account for case-related communication, raising concerns about potential intentional misconduct.
Inconsistencies in Sandberg’s responses to the plaintiffs’ questions further fueled doubts. The court suggested that Sandberg selectively deleted emails rather than relying on automatic deletion settings. Consequently, the judge has increased the burden of proof for Sandberg’s defense, now requiring “clear and convincing” evidence instead of the typical “preponderance of the evidence.” The court has also awarded legal expenses to the plaintiffs.
A spokesperson for Sandberg dismissed the allegations, asserting that all work-related emails were preserved on Facebook’s servers.
Facebook’s Privacy Violations and FTC Action
The lawsuit stems from Facebook’s alleged breach of a 2012 FTC order prohibiting the collection and sharing of user data without consent. Reports revealed that Facebook provided user data to third parties, including Cambridge Analytica while failing to disclose critical details in its privacy policies.
Meta has faced severe consequences for these violations, including a record-breaking $5 billion fine by the FTC in 2019 and additional penalties from European regulators over data handling practices.
Sheryl Sandberg’s Legacy at Meta
Sandberg, who joined Facebook in 2008, was instrumental in scaling the platform’s advertising business and making the company profitable. She became the first woman to join Facebook’s board in 2012. Before Meta, Sandberg held prominent roles at Google and the U.S. Treasury Department.
Her tenure at Meta hasn’t been without controversy. Reports from The New York Times suggest that Mark Zuckerberg distanced himself from some of the company’s inclusive policies, attributing them to Sandberg during a discussion with former Trump advisor Stephen Miller.
Who Is Sheryl Sandberg?
Born in Washington, D.C., in 1969, Sandberg is a bestselling author and philanthropist, known for Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead and Option B. She also founded LeanIn.Org to advocate for women in leadership roles.
Sandberg’s personal life has also drawn public interest. She was married to Brian Kraff in the early 1990s and later to Dave Goldberg, who tragically passed away in 2015. She married Tom Bernthal in 2022.
What’s Next for Sandberg?
As legal challenges mount, Sandberg’s reputation and legacy face increased scrutiny. This case could have broader implications for Meta’s corporate accountability and privacy practices and beyond.
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