Hawley Investigates Meta’s Treatment of Whistleblower Who Alleged China Ties

FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., is calling out Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg for allegedly mistreating a whistleblower through lawfare. 

Sarah Wynn-Williams, Meta’s former global head of public policy, testified before Congress that the company worked “hand in glove” with the Chinese Communist Party. Now, Congress is investigating and demanding answers. 

“Meta’s efforts to destroy Ms. Wynn-Williams with lawfare are a matter of grave public concern,” Hawley wrote in a letter to Zuckerberg. 

Hawley, chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, heard Wynn-Williams’ testimony last year when she appeared before his subcommittee. More than a year later, she is still being silenced. Hawley is demanding information from Meta and Zuckerberg to further investigate the company’s alleged lawfare. 

“Ms. Wynn-Williams raised serious questions about Meta’s dealings with the Chinese government, the harms Meta’s platforms pose to users, and Meta’s representations to Congress,” Hawley wrote, referring to last year’s hearing. 

“She testified that Meta worked hand in glove with the Chinese Communist Party to construct and test custom-built censorship tools to silence and censor CCP critics,” and assisted the Chinese government in developing artificial intelligence for its military and stealing intellectual property from Americans. 

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Meta attempted to silence Wynn-Williams before the hearing, but once the claims were public, the company placed a gag order on her through private arbitration. She now cannot speak critically of Meta, even if her claims are true, and faces financial penalties. 

“To this day, Meta continues to relentlessly pursue her in arbitration, attempting to bankrupt her and subjecting her and her family to constant stress,” Hawley wrote. 

Hawley has given Meta until Aug. 14 to collect and provide the requested information so that his subcommittee can continue its investigation. 

Hawley requested Meta’s legal bills and attorney fees to evaluate the financial investment it has made to keep Wynn-Williams silent. He asked for all motions, discovery materials, and the arbitration complaint to review how the company is handling the case. He also requested any documents showing Meta gathering information on Wynn-Williams and her family. 

Hawley wants to know whether this is a standalone situation or whether Meta has a history of silencing employees. He also requested that the company provide documents related to every arbitration or lawsuit against any former or current Meta employee. 

“My Senate Judiciary Subcommittee is investigating the allegations that you [Zuckerberg], Meta, and Meta executives made false or misleading statements to Congress and whether any person has acted to obstruct the Subcommittee’s inquiry into Meta’s business ventures in China, its dealings with the Chinese Communist Party, and Meta’s knowledge of the grave harms—including child sex abuse, addictiveness, and bullying—that emanate from its products,” Hawley concluded. 

Meta did not respond to the Daily Signal’s request for comment.