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 spearheaded the creation of the social media giant Facebook, which has become a globally dominant platform. Zuckerberg's career has also been marked by legal challenges concerning the origins and ownership of Facebook and controversies surrounding user privacy on the platform.

Sections (7)

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

April 28, 2003: Contract signed with Paul Ceglia

On April 28, 2003, Zuckerberg allegedly signed a contract with Paul Ceglia that 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.

2004: Lawsuit by Winklevoss and Narendra

In 2004, Cameron Winklevoss, Tyler Winklevoss, and Divya Narendra sued Mark Zuckerberg, accusing him of making them believe he would help them build a social network called HarvardConnection.com (later called ConnectU).

2005: Lawsuit filed by Eduardo Saverin

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, with Saverin's title as co-founder affirmed and an agreement to stop talking to the press.

March 28, 2007: Dismissal of Lawsuit

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 addresses, were posted on the website of 02138, a magazine catering to Harvard alumni.

June 25, 2008: Settlement with ConnectU

On June 25, 2008, the case with ConnectU was 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 until Facebook removed the contest from its website at the end of May.

June 2010: Criminal investigation launched in Pakistan

In June 2010, Pakistani Deputy Attorney General Muhammad Azhar Sidiqque launched a criminal investigation into Mark Zuckerberg and Facebook co-founders Dustin Moskovitz and Chris Hughes after a "Draw Muhammad" contest was hosted on Facebook, which also named the anonymous German woman who created the contest. Sidiqque asked the country's police to contact Interpol to have Zuckerberg and the three others arrested for blasphemy.

June 2010: Paul Ceglia lawsuit

In June 2010, Paul Ceglia, the owner of a wood pellet fuel company in Allegany County, upstate New York, filed suit against Zuckerberg, claiming 84 percent ownership of Facebook and seeking monetary damages.

October 26, 2012: Arrest of Paul Ceglia

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: Launch of FWD.us

On April 11, 2013, Mark Zuckerberg led the launch of FWD.us, a lobbying group focused on immigration reform and improving education. However, the group 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.

February 2016: Shutdown of Internet.org in India

In February 2016, Internet.org was shut down in India due to opposition based on net neutrality concerns.

February 24, 2016: Internal Memo on Black Lives Matter

On February 24, 2016, Mark Zuckerberg sent an internal memo to Facebook employees rebuking those who crossed out "Black Lives Matter" phrases and replaced them with "All Lives Matter", considering this practice disrespectful and malicious, and announcing investigations into the incidents.

January 2017: Criticism of Trump's Executive Order

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

January 2017: "Quiet title and partition" 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 in Kauaʻi. The lawsuits were later dropped.

2018: Testimony before the United States 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.

October 1, 2020: US Senate Committee vote to issue subpoenas to tech CEOs

On October 1, 2020, the US Senate Commerce Committee unanimously voted to issue subpoenas to the CEOs of three top tech firms, including Zuckerberg, Sundar Pichai and Jack Dorsey to testify about the legal immunity under Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934.

2020: Condemnation of hospital renaming

In 2020, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a measure condemning the renaming of the San Francisco General Hospital to The Priscilla Chan and Mark Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital and Trauma Center, citing concerns about Facebook's role in endangering public health.

January 6, 2021: Mention of the attack on the US Capitol Building

On March 25, 2021, 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.

March 25, 2021: Testimony before the 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 on the platform.

January 2024: Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on child safety and social media platforms

In a January 2024 Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on child safety and social media platforms, Zuckerberg, along with other tech CEOs, were questioned about their companies' practices. During the hearing, he apologized to the families of children who were victims of online abuse and harm.

August 2024: Letter to the House Judiciary Committee

In August 2024, Mark Zuckerberg stated in a letter to the House Judiciary Committee that he regretted not resisting pressure from the Biden administration to censor COVID-19 related content.

September 2024: Mention in Trump's book

In September 2024, Donald Trump's book *Save America* mentioned Zuckerberg's visits to the White House, with Trump warning against any illegal activities in the upcoming election.