Jess Brown-Fuller Calls for Stronger Protections for Social Media Whistleblowers

Jess Brown-Fuller has used a Parliamentary debate to call for stronger protections for whistleblowers who speak out against social media companies, and to challenge the government over its approach to regulating Big Tech. 

Rising in the Commons, Jess drew attention to Careless People, a whistleblowing account by Sarah Wynn-Williams of her time working inside Facebook, and the legal action Meta is reportedly using to silence her. Jess argued that the case was emblematic of a wider pattern of lawfare and retaliation faced by those who dare to expose what is happening inside these companies. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lOnm3835Oq4

Jess Brown-Fuller has called for enhanced protections for whistleblowers from social media companies, drawing attention to the lawfare and retaliatory legal tactics many have faced.

Jess argued that social media platforms do not care about the wellbeing of their users, particularly children, and exist only to keep people on their platforms for as long as possible. She pressed the minister to explain why engaging with these companies voluntarily would achieve meaningful results rather than legislating against them. 

Speaking in the debate, Jess said: 

"These companies do not care about the people that use the platforms. They only care about keeping people on their platforms, especially our children." 

The Minister pointed to action already taken on age assurance at the device level as evidence of progress, and said he valued direct engagement with whistleblowers in shaping the government's approach.