Zuckerberg Once Mocked 'Dumb' Users Over 'Trust'

He apparently didn't like privacy at age 19, either
By John Johnson,  Newser Staff
Posted May 13, 2010 6:30 PM CDT
Zuckerberg Once Mocked 'Dumb' Users Over 'Trust'
Mark Zuckerberg in a file photo from 2009.   (AP Photo/KEYSTONE/Peter Klaunzer)

More ammo for Mark Zuckerberg's privacy critics: The Silicon Alley Insider has a transcript of IMs between a then-19-year-old Zuckerberg, shortly after he launched Facebook, and a college friend. Zuckerberg's comments, strung together: "Yeah so if you ever need info about anyone at Harvard. Just ask. I have over 4,000 emails, pictures, addresses, SNS." Asked how, he responds: "People just submitted it. I don't know why. They 'trust me.' Dumb f---s."

Could be "silly dorm-room chitchat," writes Nicholas Carlson. "But the exchange does reveal that Facebook's aggressive attitude toward privacy may have begun early on." Facebook didn't deny the authenticity. "We're not going to debate claims from anonymous sources or dated allegations that attempt to characterize Mark's and Facebook's views toward privacy," said a statement, adding that the "privacy and security of our users' information is of paramount important to us." Meantime, Facebook execs are addressing employee concerns on the subject, notes the Los Angeles Times.
(More Mark Zuckerberg stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X