Facebook's hiring spree includes a Trump administration official known for helping write the PATRIOT Act, and a privacy advocate who vigorously opposed the law's expansion of government surveillance
The embattled company this week tapped both a Trump administration official known for helping to write the PATRIOT Act and a privacy advocate who vigorously opposed the law's expansion of government surveillance — sending mixed signals as it tries to reassure regulators and lawmakers about its handling of data on its more than 2 billion users.
It's part of a broader pattern of Facebook seeking experienced political and legal hands to deal with newly active regulators in Washington, Brussels and beyond. But the pairing of surveillance and privacy hawks provides a jarring juxtaposition at a time when Facebook is trying to articulate a coherent privacy-focused vision for its future.
But others view the new general counsel as an encouraging sign that the company, known for its mantra of "move fast and break things," is taking government oversight seriously. Privacy advocates were quick to point out the awkwardness of hiring Jennifer Newstead, who was on the team that worked on the PATRIOT Act's passage. | Jerry Lampen/AFP/Getty Images
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