Mick Clifford: The ugly truth of Facebook laid bare once again

The revelations made by whistleblower Frances Haugen have once again shone a light on the damage done by social media giant Facebook

Former Facebook employee Frances Haugen at this week's Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, in Washington where she said she believes "Facebook’s products harm children, stoke division and weaken our democracy.” Picture: Alex Brandon/AP

A few years back there was a major controversy over government attempts to roll out the public service card. 

One of the main planks of objection was that the move was perceived as a ploy to hoover up personal data. Nineteen Eight-Four, George Orwell’s dystopian novel about state surveillance and control, was mentioned half in jest, fully in earnest.