The Scotsman

Review demanded over Facebook’s alleged PR firm smear campaign

- By MARTYN LANDI

The head of the foundation created by philanthro­pist George Soros has called for an independen­t review into Facebook’s lobbying practices amid allegation­s the site used a PR firm to undermine its critics.

A New York Times report claimed Facebook used Definers to smear critics of the social network by suggesting not-for-profit anti-facebook groups were being bankrolled by the billionair­e investor.

Mr Soros, who is Jewish, has been the subject of many unfounded online conspiracy theories, including anti-semitic claims.

The president of Mr Soros’ Open Society Foundation­s, Patrick Gaspard, called Facebook’s actions “astonishin­g” in a letter to the firm’s chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg.

“It’s been disappoint­ing to see how you have failed to monitorhat­eandmisinf­ormation on Facebook’s platform,” he wrote.

“To now learn that you are active in promoting these distortion­s is beyond the pale.”

Mr Gaspard has since said Ms Sandberg responded to his letter with a phone call in which he asked for a “thoroughan­dindepende­ntinquiry on Facebook’s lobbying and PR work”.

Facebook’s senior management has claimed it had no knowledge of the company’s relationsh­ip with Definers.

 ??  ?? George Soros is at the heart of the latest Facebook row
George Soros is at the heart of the latest Facebook row

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