Meta Platforms’ former Chief Operating Officer, Sheryl Sandberg, was sanctioned by a judge for deleting emails related to the Facebook-Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal. The deletion occurred despite a court order to preserve the messages for a shareholder lawsuit. Delaware Chancery Court Vice Chancellor Travis Laster ruled that Sandberg used a personal account under a pseudonym to erase emails likely crucial to the case, making it harder for her to defend herself in the upcoming trial.
The case stems from Facebook’s role in allowing Cambridge Analytica, a political consulting firm linked to Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign, to access user data. Shareholders argue that the company violated a 2012 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) consent order on data protection, harming investors. They also claim that Meta’s board negotiated a $5 billion FTC fine in 2019 to shield CEO Mark Zuckerberg from personal liability.
Laster’s ruling requires Sandberg to pay for the sanctions-related expenses, which include costs incurred by California’s CalSTRS pension system. Sandberg had previously argued that she used her personal account infrequently for business, and any important exchanges were shared with others, preserving the data.
The judge raised the burden of proof for Sandberg’s defense, requiring “clear and convincing evidence” to avoid liability. The trial is set to begin in April, with Zuckerberg expected to be deposed before then. Sandberg’s actions have added to the complexity of this high-profile case.
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