[giwook]

Unfortunately, I think we all know how this story ends.

The company will settle for a slap on the wrist, a paltry fine that is but a fraction of the profit that was made as a result of the infraction.

The company will not admit to any wrongdoing as a result of the settlement.

The company will continue their behavior but in a stealthier, more obfuscated fashion.

[intended]

This does not need to be the case though.

After so many years, the question on the societal utility of meta and similar services is finally being forced.

No matter what the verdict, the design and limits which make effective policy is still to be negotiated and figured out.

[NickC25]

You're forgetting some things which are quite sad and reflective of our society:

The CEO will not be personally affected at all. He'll still have hundreds of billions in the bank.

The CEO will be paraded in front of congress who will then proceed to ask him softball questions carefully prepared by a team of lobbyists and Meta lawyers. The CEO will answer like a robot.

Senators and congressmen will not push back on the CEO's answers even though everyone in the room knows said answers are deliberate obfuscation and dishonest wordsmithing at best.

The CEO will be praised by the Senate Minority Leader simply because the CEO is from the Senator's district.

The same Senator will highlight all the good work the CEO does to help the Israeli military. (this is not antisemitism, for the record. Senate Minority Leader Schumer has constantly said his main job is to protect Israel's interests).

The company's shares will increase, and everyone will praise the company and its CEO. Every major podcast, even those run by centrists and capitalist leftists, will praise the CEO's ability as someone who is incredible at delivering amazing returns.

Shareholders will allow the company to operate as normal, because they are making money.

The cycle repeats itself.