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 social media platform that grew into a global phenomenon. Zuckerberg's leadership has been marked by both success and controversy, facing lawsuits related to the website's creation, ownership, and user privacy concerns. He remains a prominent figure in the technology industry.

Sections (7)

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

2004: ConnectU Lawsuit Filed

In 2004, Harvard students Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra filed a lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg, accusing him of stealing their social network idea called HarvardConnection.com, later known as ConnectU.

2005: Saverin Lawsuit

In 2005, Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin filed a lawsuit against Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook, alleging that Zuckerberg had illegally spent Saverin's money on personal expenses. The lawsuit was settled out of court, Saverin's title as co-founder was affirmed, and Saverin agreed to stop talking to the press.

March 28, 2007: ConnectU Lawsuit Dismissal

On March 28, 2007, the lawsuit filed by Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra against Mark Zuckerberg was initially dismissed on a technicality.

November 2007: Confidential Documents Posted Online

In November 2007, confidential court documents, including Mark Zuckerberg's Social Security number and personal addresses, were posted on the website of 02138 magazine.

June 25, 2008: ConnectU Lawsuit Settled

On June 25, 2008, the lawsuit between Harvard students Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra, who accused Mark Zuckerberg of stealing their idea, and Facebook was settled, with Facebook agreeing to transfer shares and pay $20 million in cash.

May 19, 2010: Facebook Blocked in Pakistan

On May 19, 2010, Facebook's website was temporarily blocked in Pakistan because of a "Draw Muhammad" contest hosted on Facebook. The website remained blocked until the contest was removed from Facebook.

June 2010: Criminal Investigation Launched and Ceglia Lawsuit

In June 2010, Muhammad Azhar Sidiqque, the Pakistani Deputy Attorney General, launched a criminal investigation into Zuckerberg and Facebook co-founders after a "Draw Muhammad" contest was hosted on Facebook. Also in June 2010, Paul Ceglia filed suit against Zuckerberg, claiming 84 percent ownership of Facebook.

June 2010: Ceglia Lawsuit Filed

In June 2010, Paul Ceglia filed suit against Zuckerberg, claiming 84 percent ownership of Facebook and seeking monetary damages.

October 26, 2012: Ceglia's Arrest

On October 26, 2012, federal authorities arrested Paul Ceglia, charging him with mail and wire fraud and of "tampering with, destroying and fabricating evidence in a scheme to defraud the Facebook founder of billions of dollars".

April 11, 2013: Launched FWD.us Lobbying Group

On April 11, 2013, Zuckerberg launched FWD.us, a lobbying group focused on immigration reform and education, but it faced criticism for supporting oil and gas development initiatives.

August 19, 2013: Zuckerberg's Facebook Profile Hacked

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

September 2013: Commented on PRISM Scandal at TechCrunch Disrupt

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

February 2016: Internet.org Shut Down in India

In February 2016, Internet.org was shut down in India following significant opposition due to net neutrality concerns, despite Zuckerberg's defense of limited internet access being better than none.

February 24, 2016: Rebuked Employees for Overwriting "Black Lives Matter" Phrases

On February 24, 2016, Zuckerberg sent an internal memo rebuking Facebook employees for crossing out "Black Lives Matter" phrases and replacing them with "All Lives Matter", considering it disrespectful and malicious.

January 2017: Lawsuits Against Native Hawaiians

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

January 2017: Criticized Trump's Executive Order on Immigration

In January 2017, Zuckerberg criticized Donald Trump's executive order limiting immigration and refugees from some countries.

2017: Called for Action to Stop Global Warming in Speech

In 2017, Zuckerberg called for action to stop global warming in a commencement speech at Harvard University. Seven years later, he purchased the mega-yacht Launchpad (formerly Project 1010) for $300 million. That same year, he put the yacht into operation; it emits 40 tons of carbon dioxide per hour.

2018: Testimony Before the United States Senate Committee

In 2018, Mark 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.

October 1, 2020: US Senate Committee Vote for Subpoenas

On October 1, 2020, the US Senate Commerce Committee unanimously voted to issue subpoenas to Zuckerberg, Google's Sundar Pichai and Twitter's Jack Dorsey to testify about the legal immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934.

2020: Criticism of Hospital Renaming

In 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a non-binding measure condemning the renaming of San Francisco General Hospital, arguing that it should not be named after an individual whose social media platform is accused of "endangering public health, spreading misinformation, and violating privacy".

January 6, 2021: Attack on the US Capitol Building

On January 6, 2021, the attack on the US Capitol Building took place. Zuckerberg was questioned about Facebook's role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol Building, during his testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on March 25, 2021.

March 25, 2021: Testimony Before House Committee

On March 25, 2021, Mark Zuckerberg testified before the House Energy and Commerce Committee regarding Facebook's role in the spread of misinformation and hate speech on the platform. He was questioned about Facebook's handling of user data, its role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol Building, and its efforts to combat misinformation and hate speech.

January 2024: Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing

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

August 2024: Regretted Not Resisting Pressure to Censor COVID-19 Content

In August 2024, Zuckerberg stated he regretted not doing more to resist pressure from the Biden administration to censor content related to COVID-19. By 2024, Zuckerberg was discouraging employee activism at Facebook, and according to The New York Times, had privately described his politics as leaning towards libertarianism or classical liberalism.

March 2025: Attempted to Leverage Relationship for Antitrust Settlement

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