Ugly Truth: Inside Facebook's Battle for Domination

Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang's book "An Ugly Truth" is an explosive exposé of Facebook's fall from grace, revealing how the tech giant mishandled users' data, allowed the spread of fake news, and amplified dangerous hate speech. The book explores the complex court politics, alliances, and rivalries within the company, its growing political influence, and its skirmishes with privacy groups and the FTC. The authors conclude that the missteps of the last five years were not an anomaly but an inevitability, as Facebook was built to perform.

Format: Hardback
Length: 352 pages
Publication date: 13 July 2021
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

The ultimate takedown: New York Times

The problem of Facebook, as revealed in this splendid book, lies squarely at the feet of its founder, Mark Zuckerberg. And the central question it poses is: what are we going to do about him?

Observer: A comprehensive account. . . drawn from first-hand testimonies. Thoroughly engaging.

The Times: What sets this book apart is its ability to delve beneath the corporate façade. . . to paint a picture of astounding corporate arrogance and irresponsibility.

Sunday Times: An explosive new book.

Daily Mail: A must-read for anyone interested in the tech world.

Award-winning New York Times reporters Sheera Frenkel and Cecilia Kang have unveiled the tech story of our times in a riveting, behind-the-scenes exposé that offers the definitive account of Facebook's fall from grace.

Once a shining example of Silicon Valley success, Facebook has been in a state of constant turmoil for the past five years. The tech giant has faced a relentless barrage of criticism, plagued by controversies, crises, and missteps. It turns out that while Facebook was connecting the world, it was also mishandling users' data, allowing the spread of fake news and the amplification of dangerous, polarizing hate speech.

Critics framed the narrative as an irreconcilable conflict between the platform's lofty mission to advance society by bringing people together and its pursuit of profit. The company, many argued, had lost its way. But the truth is far more complex.

Drawing on their unparalleled sources, Frenkel and Kang take readers on a journey inside the complex world of Facebook. They explore the company's court politics, alliances, rivalries, growing political influence, and clashes with privacy groups and the FTC. Through their explosive, exclusive reporting, they uncover the fatal cracks in the architecture of the tech behemoth.

What they found is a shocking conclusion: The missteps of the past five years have led to Facebook's decline and its loss of trust among users and regulators alike. The company's corporate arrogance and irresponsibility have played a significant role in its downfall.

This book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the complex dynamics of the tech industry and the challenges facing Facebook in the years to come. It sheds light on the power of corporations, the importance of privacy, and the need for accountability in the digital age.

As we navigate the ever-evolving landscape of technology, it is crucial that we remain vigilant and hold those in power accountable for their actions. Facebook's story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the risks associated with unchecked corporate power and the importance of safeguarding our digital rights.

Weight: 592g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 36 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781408712719