Zuckerberg: Claim fake stories posted on Facebook helped Trump win 'crazy'
The head of the social network rejects the idea that users exist in "bubbles" and only see news that reflects their beliefs.
Friday 11 November 2016 15:50, UK
Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg says it is "crazy" to suggest that fake stories on the social network helped Donald Trump win the US Presidential election.
The website has come under fire amid accusations that it helped give traction to a succession of bogus stories which circulated during the election campaign.
At a technology conference in California, Mr Zuckerberg said: "The idea that fake news on Facebook, which is a very small amount of the content, influenced the election in any way I think is a pretty crazy idea.
"I do think there is a certain profound lack of empathy in asserting that the only reason someone could have voted the way they did is because they saw some fake news.
"If you believe that, then I don't think you have internalised the message that Trump supporters are trying to send in this election."
Mr Zuckerberg questioned whether there were hoax stories about one candidate and not the other.
And he rejected the idea that Facebook users existed in "bubbles" where they only see news which reflects their viewpoints.
"Voters make decisions based on their lived experience," he said.
"You don't generally go wrong when you trust that people understand what they care about and what's important to them and you build systems that reflect that."
He said research gathered at Facebook did not suggest news-filter bubbles were a problem.
But he did concede that people are less inclined to click on links or look at shared stories which do not echo their views.
"We just tune out," Mr Zuckerberg said. "I don't know what to do about that."
He said there was a lot still be be improved and that the process was ongoing, but added it was misguided to put the blame on Facebook.
"These elections make a real difference in the world, but it would not be right to suggest that it changes the fundamental arc of technology or progress over time," Mr Zuckerberg said.
Facebook has now evolved from a vehicle for people sharing personal information with friends or family to becoming a platform for important news.
Mr Zuckerberg said the social network would continue to adapt to the change, modifying the way it ranks stories as well as guidelines regarding what might be offensive.