Two former employees of Meta have testified under oath before Congress, claiming that the company’s virtual reality (VR) products have exposed minors to inappropriate content, including nudity, sexual propositions, and live sexual acts. Jason Sattizahn and Cayce Savage, who previously worked as researchers focused on the safety of young users of Meta’s VR offerings, alleged that the company ignored their findings, suppressed their research efforts, and even destroyed evidence of instances where minors faced sexual harassment.
### Allegations of Neglect and Censorship
Their statements contribute to ongoing scrutiny regarding how Meta, led by CEO Mark Zuckerberg, manages the safety of minors across its platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Following revelations from prior whistleblowers and extensive media coverage, lawmakers, class action attorneys, and state prosecutors have intensified their calls for reforms at Meta and compensation for individuals claiming harm from the platform’s practices.
Both Sattizahn and Savage have held various positions within Meta over the years, ultimately focusing on the intersection of youth and virtual reality. While Meta has invested billions into creating VR environments and the necessary hardware, the former employees argued that the company has failed to prioritize user safety adequately. Savage stated during the hearing, “Meta is aware that children are being harmed in VR,” adding that minors often encounter bullying, sexual assault, solicitation for explicit photographs, and exposure to adult themes such as gambling and violence.
### Challenges in Conducting Research
Savage, who departed Meta in 2023, expressed frustration at being unable to assess the prevalence of these issues due to the company’s restrictions. “I wish I could tell you the percentage of children in VR experiencing these harms, but Meta would not allow me to conduct this research,” she lamented. Sattizahn noted that he had observed adults using Meta’s VR products inappropriately, including during masturbation while children could overhear.
Sattizahn claimed that he was terminated from Meta last year after raising concerns internally about the limitations placed on his research. In response, Meta has disputed many of the claims made by the witnesses, asserting that they have selectively presented information to create a misleading narrative. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone stated that there was never a comprehensive ban on research involving young users, highlighting that the company has conducted numerous studies on youth-related social issues since 2022.
### Meta’s Commitment to Virtual Reality
Zuckerberg has positioned virtual reality as a cornerstone of Meta’s future, having rebranded the company from Facebook to Meta in 2021 to reflect a focus on the metaverse. Since acquiring Oculus in 2014 for $2 billion, he has invested heavily in VR technology. However, concerns regarding the safety of young users in these environments have persisted. Experts have reported various instances of sexual content, racism, and abuse impacting children within the metaverse.
The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act, enacted in 1998, complicates the ability of internet companies to gather data on children under 13. Nonetheless, Sattizahn and Savage argued that many minors under this age utilize Meta’s applications, with the company allegedly prioritizing user growth metrics over safety measures. “Children drive profits,” Sattizahn remarked in an interview, explaining that investing in safety could diminish user engagement and revenue.
### Whistleblower Testimonies and Legislative Action
The allegations made by Sattizahn and Savage are the latest in a series of whistleblower testimonies from former Meta and Facebook employees aimed at exposing corporate misdeeds. Their testimonies echo earlier revelations from Frances Haugen in 2021 regarding the mental health impacts on teenagers. Sattizahn pointed out that Meta’s responses to earlier criticisms have focused more on public relations than on genuine safety improvements, stating that internal processes were implemented to manage risks rather than protect users.
During the hearing, he described how Meta attempted to erase evidence of minors being solicited for sexual acts in its VR environments. Stone countered that U.S. and European privacy laws dictate how the company manages data concerning younger users, insisting that any unauthorized data collection must be deleted.
### Congressional Response and Future Legislation
Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle expressed growing frustration with Meta and its CEO. Senator Marsha Blackburn, the chair of the subcommittee, remarked that the witnesses were brought in to enhance child safety, yet they found a company indifferent to the dangers its products posed. Senator Amy Klobuchar echoed this sentiment, asserting that Meta obstructed research that could have illuminated the risks to underage users.
Several senators indicated a desire to pass legislation aimed at holding tech companies accountable for their practices. While previous attempts to advance child protection bills in Congress have stalled, some lawmakers, such as Senator Josh Hawley, are advocating for easier legal recourse for victims of tech-related harms.
In her testimony, Savage highlighted a significant gap in parental awareness regarding the risks associated with virtual reality, stating, “A lot of parents in my research indicated that they weren’t aware that their children were interacting with strangers.”
