A recently “leaked” video from a meeting acquired by 404 Media seems to capture Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg expressing frustration over internal leaks. During an “all-hands” meeting with employees, Zuckerberg reportedly stated, “We try to be really open, and then everything I say leaks. It sucks.”
In a meeting held on Thursday, Zuckerberg voiced his concerns about his internal comments being disclosed, and those remarks were subsequently leaked to the media, as reported by 404 Media. He emphasized the need to be more cautious about his internal communications at Meta, saying, “everything I say leaks. And it sucks, right?”
Zuckerberg has faced ongoing issues with leaks, particularly as he seeks to strengthen ties with former President Donald Trump following his election victory. Recently, Meta agreed to pay $25 million to settle a lawsuit from Trump after the company suspended his accounts in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.
In response to the leaks, Meta’s chief information security officer, Guy Rosen, warned employees of potential “repercussions” for anyone found speaking to the media. In an internal memo, which was also leaked, Rosen stated, “We take leaks seriously and will take action.” He highlighted that leaks not only compromise security but also demoralize teams and waste valuable time that could be spent on product development and achieving company goals. Rosen indicated that Meta would consider “appropriate action, including termination” against those who leak information, noting that several employees had already been dismissed for similar violations.
Zuckerberg mentioned that Meta had altered the question-and-answer format of its “all-hands” meetings due to the leaks. He expressed a desire to discuss matters openly while also recognizing the need to avoid sharing information that could be leaked. Instead of direct questions, the company implemented a polling system where employees could submit questions in advance, allowing the most relevant topics to be addressed.
