Meta exec defends decision not to operate in China, defend free expression

Joel Kaplan, chief international description official, says the company’s decision not to provide services in China allowed the Technology Corporation to defend the basic principles surrounding free expression.

Kaplan’s comments echoed a statement made by Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta at George Town University in 2019, where he explained why Facebook, Instagram and other services in China did not work.

“I wanted our services in China because I believe in linking the whole world and I think we may help create a more open society,” Zuckerberg said at the time.

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“I worked hard to achieve this. But we could not reach an agreement on what it will require for us to work there, and they have never allowed us to enter. Now we have more freedom to speak and defend the values ​​we believe in and fight for free expression around the world,”.

Identification services are currently banned in China. However, the company continues to achieve revenues through partnerships with Chinese advertisers who meet users in other global markets.

During the appearance of Wednesday at the Raisina dialogue conference, Kaplan pointed out that Meta, who was previously working on Facebook, expressed his interest in providing services to the Chinese market but eventually decided against it.

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“In the end, we were unable to reach an agreement to carry out things that will be necessary for us to provide our services in China, and the things required by companies, which provide their services in China, as you know, and many of them are known names,” he said.

In reference to Zuckerberg’s comments for 2019, Kaplan said this decision was released to be “less comfortable” in defending the principles of freedom of expression and standing.

“At the end of the day, this is a better situation for us to be in it, where we can continue to defend and talk about the values ​​established by Facebook and its roots in a free expression,” continued.

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Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta Platforms Inc. arrives. , The 60th Presidential Opening Center in Rotonda, Capitol, Washington, DC, on Monday, January 20, 2025. (Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Kaplan was used to lead the Meta World policy Team in January. He joined Meta in 2011 and previously worked as the Deputy Chief of Staff Policy at the George W. Bush Administration.

Meta did not respond to the Fox Business request for comment.

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