Major Controversies Surrounding Mark Zuckerberg: A Detailed Timeline

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Mark Zuckerberg.

Mark Zuckerberg is an American businessman best known as the co-founder, chairman, CEO, and controlling shareholder of Meta Platforms (formerly Facebook). He launched Facebook, a prominent social media service, and has since overseen its growth and evolution. Zuckerberg's career has been marked by both significant success and controversies, including lawsuits related to the platform's creation and concerns surrounding user privacy. He remains a central figure in the tech industry and a subject of public and critical attention.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1934: Communications Act

In 1934, the Communications Act was passed, and in 2020, the US Senate Commerce Committee issued subpoenas to CEOs of tech firms, including Zuckerberg, to testify about the legal immunity the law affords tech platforms under Section 230.

April 28, 2003: Contract signed with Paul Ceglia (disputed)

On April 28, 2003, Paul Ceglia claimed he and Zuckerberg signed a contract where an initial fee of $1,000 entitled Ceglia to 50% of the website's revenue, as well as an additional 1% interest in the business per day after January 1, 2004, until website completion. Zuckerberg was developing other projects at the time, among which was Facemash, the predecessor to Facebook.

2004: Filed Lawsuit

In 2004, Harvard students Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra accused Zuckerberg of intentionally making them believe he would help them build a social network called HarvardConnection.com (later called ConnectU). They filed a lawsuit.

2005: Lawsuit filed by Eduardo Saverin

In 2005, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin filed a lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook, alleging Zuckerberg illegally spent Saverin's money on personal expenses. The suit was settled out of court, with Saverin retaining his co-founder title and agreeing to stop speaking to the press.

March 28, 2007: Lawsuit Dismissed

On March 28, 2007, the lawsuit filed by the Winklevoss twins was dismissed on a technicality.

November 2007: Confidential Documents Posted Online

In November 2007, confidential court documents, including Zuckerberg's Social Security number, were posted on the website of 02138, a magazine that catered to Harvard alumni.

2007: Remarks at Startup School

In 2007, Zuckerberg made a controversial assertion at Y Combinator's Startup School course at Stanford University that "young people are just smarter" and that other entrepreneurs should bias towards hiring young people.

June 25, 2008: Case Settled

On June 25, 2008, the lawsuit case settled, Facebook agreed to transfer over 1.2 million common shares and pay $20 million in cash.

May 19, 2010: Facebook temporarily blocked in Pakistan

On May 19, 2010, Facebook's website was temporarily blocked in Pakistan due to a "Draw Muhammad" contest hosted on the platform until the contest was removed at the end of May.

June 2010: Criminal investigation launched in Pakistan

In June 2010, Pakistani Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Azhar Sidiqque initiated a criminal investigation into Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook co-founders Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes after a "Draw Muhammad" contest was hosted on Facebook, also naming the contest's creator. Sidiqque requested police contact Interpol to arrest Zuckerberg and the others for blasphemy and asked its UN representative to raise the issue with the United Nations General Assembly.

June 2010: Paul Ceglia files suit claiming Facebook ownership

In June 2010, Paul Ceglia filed a lawsuit against Zuckerberg, claiming 84% ownership of Facebook and seeking monetary damages. Ceglia alleged a 2003 contract entitled him to 50% of the website's revenue plus 1% interest per day after January 1, 2004.

October 26, 2012: Paul Ceglia arrested for fraud

On October 26, 2012, federal authorities arrested Paul Ceglia for mail and wire fraud, accusing him of tampering with evidence to defraud Zuckerberg of billions regarding Facebook ownership.

April 11, 2013: Zuckerberg led the launch of FWD.us

On April 11, 2013, Zuckerberg led the launch of a 501(c)(4) lobbying group called FWD.us, which was comprised of Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and investors. The goals of the group include immigration reform, improving the state of education, and enabling more technological breakthroughs, yet it has also been criticized for financing ads advocating for oil and gas development initiatives.

August 19, 2013: Facebook Profile Hacked

On August 19, 2013, The Washington Post reported that Zuckerberg's Facebook profile was hacked by an unemployed web developer.

September 2013: Zuckerberg commented on the PRISM scandal at TechCrunch Disrupt conference

In September 2013, Zuckerberg commented on the mid-2013 PRISM scandal at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference, stating that the U.S. government "blew it" in protecting citizens' freedoms and companies.

February 2016: Internet.org Shut Down in India

Internet.org was shut down in India in February 2016 due to opposition regarding net neutrality.

February 24, 2016: Zuckerberg rebuked employees for overwriting 'Black Lives Matter' phrases

On February 24, 2016, Zuckerberg sent out a company-wide memo formally rebuking employees who had crossed out 'Black Lives Matter' phrases on company walls and had written 'All Lives Matter' in their place, considering this practice disrespectful and malicious. He also launched investigations into the incidents.

January 2017: Zuckerberg criticized Trump's executive order on immigration

In January 2017, Zuckerberg criticized Donald Trump's executive order to severely limit immigrants and refugees from some countries.

January 2017: "Quiet title and partition" lawsuits filed in Hawaii

In January 2017, Zuckerberg filed eight "quiet title and partition" lawsuits against hundreds of native Hawaiians to claim small tracts of land they owned within his acreage. He later dropped the lawsuits.

2018: Testimony before US Senate Committee

In 2018, on April 10 and 11, Zuckerberg testified before the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation regarding the usage of personal data by Facebook in relation to the Facebook–Cambridge Analytica data scandal. He called the whole affair a breach of trust between Aleksandr Kogan, Cambridge Analytica, and Facebook.

October 1, 2020: Subpoena issued by US Senate Committee

On October 1, 2020, the US Senate Commerce Committee unanimously voted to issue subpoenas to the CEOs of three top tech firms, including Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Sundar Pichai of Google, and Jack Dorsey of Twitter, to testify about the legal immunity afforded to tech platforms under Section 230 of the Communications Act.

2020: Measure condemning hospital renaming

In 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a measure condemning the renaming of San Francisco General Hospital after Zuckerberg and Chan, citing concerns about Facebook endangering public health and spreading misinformation.

January 6, 2021: Attack on the US Capitol Building

On January 6, 2021, the attack on the US Capitol Building was an event that lead to Zuckerberg being questioned on March 25, 2021, before the House Energy and Commerce Committee regarding Facebook's role in the spread of misinformation and hate speech related to the attack.

March 25, 2021: Testimony before House Energy and Commerce Committee

On March 25, 2021, Zuckerberg testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee regarding Facebook's role in the spread of misinformation and hate speech.

January 2024: Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on child safety

In January 2024, Zuckerberg testified at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on child safety and social media platforms and apologized to the families of children who were victims of online abuse and harm.

August 2024: Zuckerberg expressed regret over COVID-19 censorship pressure

In an August 2024 letter to the House Judiciary Committee, Zuckerberg stated he regretted not doing more to resist pressure from the Biden administration to censor content related to COVID-19. He also noted he no longer intends to donate towards election infrastructure.

September 2024: Trump mentioned Zuckerberg in 'Save America'

In September 2024, Donald Trump's book 'Save America' mentioned Zuckerberg's visits to the White House and warned him against illegal activities in the 2024 Presidential Election.

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March 2025: Zuckerberg attempted to leverage relationship with Trump for FTC settlement

In March 2025, Zuckerberg attempted to leverage his relationship with the Trump administration to get a favorable settlement in an antitrust case where the FTC was asking for $30 billion.