Sheryl Sandberg, the former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, is at the center of controversy following explosive allegations outlined in Sarah Wynn-Williams' new memoir, which details encounters during trips from her time working under Sandberg. The book reveals eyebrow-raising instances, including Sandberg purportedly spending $13,000 on lingerie for herself and her then-26-year-old assistant, anti-Facebook infrastructure worker Sarah Wynn-Williams.
During their trip to Europe, the duo purportedly shared intimate moments, allegedly sleeping on each other’s laps and caressing each other’s hair. This trip, described as extravagant and reckless, culminated on their private jet return when Wynn-Williams claims Sandberg urged her to "come to bed." This prompted visible agitation from Sandberg when her assistant declined the offer, as stated by Wynn-Williams.
The revelations emerged just as Wynn-Williams' memoir, published by Flatiron Books, became available on March 11, 2025. It serves not just as an account of her experiences, but as her whistleblower complaint filed with the SEC for alleged misconduct at Meta.
Meta's response to these allegations has been fierce. A spokesperson criticized the memoir, calling it part of Wynn-Williams’ vendetta since her firing eight years ago for poor performance and toxic behavior. The spokesperson contended those accusations stem from "disgruntled activists trying to sell books" rather than factual recounting.
Among the memoir's other shocking details is the behavior of Joel Kaplan, who served as Meta’s vice president of global policy. Kaplan allegedly behaved unprofessionally at work events, including pressing against Wynn-Williams on the dance floor and commenting on her appearance, saying she looked “sultry.” His alleged insistence on weekly videoconferences during her maternity leave, even pressing for details about her health, was also documented.
A Meta internal investigation cleared Kaplan of misconduct, corroborated by the approval of relevant stakeholders. The inquiry involved interviews with 17 witnesses and spanned 42 days.
Wynn-Williams describes Mark Zuckerberg, Meta’s CEO, as having transitioned from being passionate about coding to being fixated on his public image and political adulation. She recounts arranging for Zuckerberg to be mobbed by crowds during various public appearances, with one notable incident occurring during his trip to Indonesia where he insisted on being “gently mobbed” by fans.
Wynn-Williams recalls Zuckerberg stating, during her time of service, how he admired President Andrew Jackson. This comment raised alarms, as Zuckerberg is quoted saying Jackson was the best president because he “got stuff done,” with little regard for the historical critique of Jackson’s policies.
The book delves deep, likening the conduct of Zuckerberg and Sandberg to "the careless people" from F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, The Great Gatsby—individuals causing chaos but illustrating little concern for the consequences of their actions.
Another major point raised is Facebook’s controversial attempts to re-enter the Chinese market. Wynn-Williams alleges Zuckerberg was open to ingratiation with the Chinese Communist Party, detailing maneuvers such as providing briefings on AI technologies and developing censorship tools beneficial to the CCP, all aimed at disguising Meta’s cooperation from U.S. Congressional scrutiny.
The publication of this memoir prompted immediate discourse about the culture of power dynamics at Meta. Critics, including former colleagues, have defended the executives, asserting the author’s account misrepresents their time at the company.
Former Facebook executive Marne Levine made her perspective clear, asserting she did not recognize the narrative presented by Wynn-Williams. “While everyone is certainly entitled to their own opinion and their own experience, I do not recognize this account of the company, its leaders, or my time there,” she responded publicly.
Despite the backlash, Wynn-Williams maintains her stance, claiming, “He lies,” concerning Zuckerberg's official comments about future operations possibly taking place within China—quoting his previous statements on the matter during Congressional engagements.
Her allegations have ignited discussions within the tech industry, focusing particularly on the corporate culture existing at tech giants like Meta. The report showcases the significant disconnect many current and former employees experience when recounting their time within this tech environment, contrasting Wynn-Williams' bold claims against the defending remarks made by past executives.
The memoir's release not only pulls back the curtain on the alleged toxic environment at Facebook but also sets the stage for broader scrutiny of its leadership and operational philosophies.
The book serves as cataclysmic reflection amid the broader discourse on accountability and ethics within large tech corporations, narrowing down specific failures of leadership to structures ingrained within Meta’s operational history.
To many, the revelations present not just tales of scandal but unfurling narratives of corporate governance—as they witness executives like Sandberg and Zuckerberg molded under similar yet challenged personal ethos—forged by their outcomes focused management style.
Wynn-Williams' saga opens many avenues for dialogue about the future of Meta and comparable tech enterprises' handling of employee relationships, corporate influence, and ethical obligations, highlighting the many ways these issues can manifest at the highest levels.