White House officials tried to force Meta to give them access to tools on the platform that would let them target vaccine-hesitant users, according to newly released internal communications.
The social platform faced increased pressure from the Biden administration over its approach to content moderation and vaccine misinformation, according to internal communications reviewed by Fox News. The White House requested tools that would allow it to target those less interested in the vaccine specifically. The communications also confirm the White House attempted to communicate covertly with Meta and get the tech company to limit COVID-19 information outside of its content moderation policies.
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"Since it's a global pandemic, can we give agencies access to targeting parameters that they normally wouldn't be able to?" President Joe Biden's digital director Rob Flaherty asked during an April 5, 2021, discussion with Meta about how to address the fears of people who were worried about the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine.
A Meta employee brought up how, in an ideal world, they could direct searchers to relevant information but that they have to be "careful about how they approach" since people may be concerned about targeted advertising.
"If people are having the conversation, is the presumption that we let people have it. Direct them to CDC. What then?" Flaherty asked. "We all know people that have had the experience that think that FB is listening to them," an employee replied. The employees noted that the targeted ads could create "the Big Brother feel" and suggested delaying posting content to avoid scaring users.
Biden's head of strategic communications, Courtney Rowe, seemed to push back on users' ability to determine the truth. "If someone in rural Arkansas sees something on FB, it's the truth," she said. "What we need is help pushing back on the myths."
The conversations stand in contrast to White House statements, which claimed they were using "publicly open information" to target users who believed in vaccine misinformation.
Meta was also not very responsive to White House requests. Andy Slavitt, Biden's White House senior adviser for the COVID-19 response, slammed Facebook and WhatsApp in an April 14 call for not being responsive enough. "Conversations are not as challenging — we have much more straightforward conversations with others," Slavitt said.
"I feel like we're running around in circles," Flaherty added. "Some partners give us lots of information, some partners tell us to f*** right off. This feels like we're chasing our tails. If you don't want to give information, just say that."
"My dream for FB to play ball. It's about will we get out of this f***ing mess," Flaherty added. "I'm not doubting that you are sincerely trying to solve this problem in good faith. I'm doubting that you are telling us everything. … We have to explain to President … why there is misinformation on the internet. ... We don't want to be in a position where we take down bad news. But if your goal as a company is to make it more likely that people will get the vaccine. People don't see this in only one way."
"We can't ask news outlets to take down bad news," a Facebook employee replied.
The calls confirm Meta and the White House clashed in 2021 over how to handle vaccine misinformation.
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Biden officials asked Meta later that year to take down "humorous or satirical content that suggests the vaccine isn't safe," as well as "true information" detailing the side effects of the COVID-19 vaccine, albeit without context. Slavitt was also "outraged" with Meta over its unwillingness to remove posts discouraging users from getting the vaccine.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg faced a threat of being held in contempt on July 27 when Meta failed to release the requested documents that House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) had been seeking. Jordan backed off after the communications were provided.