Janice R. Andrews
Jesse Eisenberg, renowned for his portrayal of Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, has publicly expressed his desire to dissociate from the Meta CEO. In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Eisenberg criticized Zuckerberg’s leadership, citing concerns over Meta’s recent decision to eliminate independent fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram.
Eisenberg highlighted the potential dangers of replacing professional fact-checkers with user-driven “community notes,” a system similar to X’s (formerly Twitter) approach. “This guy is doing things that are problematic, taking away fact-checking,” Eisenberg stated. He emphasized the risks posed to vulnerable communities, saying, “Making people who are already threatened in the world more threatened.”
Meta’s shift in policy, announced last month, has sparked widespread debate. Zuckerberg defended the move, claiming third-party moderators were “too politically biased” and advocating for a return to “free expression.” However, Eisenberg remains unconvinced, questioning the ethical implications of Zuckerberg’s actions. “These people have billions upon billions of dollars… and what are they doing with it? Oh, they’re doing it to curry favour with somebody who’s preaching hate,” he remarked.
The actor’s criticism comes amid Meta’s efforts to mend ties with former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has previously accused the platform of censoring right-wing voices. Following Meta’s policy change, Trump praised Zuckerberg, calling the decision “impressive.” Last week, Trump signed a legal settlement with Meta, resulting in a $25 million payout related to the suspension of his accounts after the January 6 Capitol riots.
Eisenberg, currently promoting his new film A Real Pain, which he wrote, directed, and stars in, has also earned an Oscar nomination for his screenplay. The film explores themes of family and history as two cousins visit Holocaust sites in Poland. Eisenberg’s co-star, Kieran Culkin, has also received critical acclaim for his performance.
Having previously been nominated for an Oscar for his role as Zuckerberg, Eisenberg’s latest comments underscore his evolving perspective on the tech mogul’s influence. As Meta continues to face scrutiny over its policies, Eisenberg’s remarks add to the growing discourse on accountability in the tech industry.
