Legal trouble for Sheryl Sandberg: court sanctions ex-COO over alleged email deletion; Did she violate order?
A Delaware judge has sanctioned Meta's former COO, Sheryl Sandberg, for allegedly deleting emails related to the Cambridge Analytica case. The emails were reportedly deleted despite court orders to preserve them. The lawsuit is part of ongoing legal action against Meta for violating a 2012 FTC privacy order. Meta previously paid a $5 billion fine for similar violations. (as per TechCrunch).
Sheryl Sandberg: Meta¡¯s former COO, Sheryl Sandberg, is facing legal trouble after a Delaware judge sanctioned her for allegedly deleting emails related to the Cambridge Analytica case. The case involves claims that Sandberg and former Meta board member Jeff Zients used personal email accounts to discuss Facebook¡¯s privacy practices and deleted emails despite a court order to preserve them. The judge raised the burden of proof for Sandberg¡¯s defense, requiring "clear and convincing" evidence. This legal action is part of ongoing concerns over Facebook's privacy violations, which previously led to a $5 billion fine by the FTC.
Allegations Against Sheryl Sandberg and Jeff Zients
According to the lawsuit, Sandberg and Zients used personal email accounts to discuss Facebook¡¯s privacy practices. This is seen as a violation of their fiduciary duties and legal obligations. The emails were allegedly deleted from these personal accounts, even after a court ordered them to be preserved.
A Delaware judge has sanctioned Sheryl Sandberg, Meta¡¯s former COO and board member, for allegedly deleting emails related to the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal. https://t.co/YnRPgewIKX
¡ª TechCrunch (@TechCrunch) January 22, 2025
The judge found the claims credible, stating that Sandberg used a personal Gmail account under an alias to communicate about the case. The ruling pointed out inconsistencies in her responses, suggesting that she selectively deleted emails rather than relying on automatic deletion settings.
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| Name | Role | Allegation |
|---|---|---|
| Sheryl Sandberg | Former Meta COO | Deleting emails related to the case |
| Jeff Zients | Former Meta Board Member | Deleting emails related to the case |
Court Ruling and Sanctions
The judge¡¯s decision raises the burden of proof for Sandberg's defense, now requiring her to provide "clear and convincing" evidence, a higher standard than the usual "preponderance of the evidence." The court also granted certain legal expenses to the plaintiffs.
A spokesperson for Sandberg refuted the claims, stating, "All work emails were preserved on Facebook's servers." However, the court remains unconvinced by her defense and continues to pursue the matter.
In a dramatic turn of events tied to the @CamAnalytica privacy debacle, a Delaware judge has issued sanctions against @sherylsandberg , the former COO and board member of @Meta , over claims that she deleted critical emails.
¡ª AIM (@Analyticsindiam) January 23, 2025
The allegations stem from a lawsuit filed by Meta¡ pic.twitter.com/kKMCYqVxVX
Meta¡¯s Data Privacy Violations and Legal Consequences
The lawsuit stems from Facebook's violations of a 2012 Federal Trade Commission (FTC) order, which prohibited the company from collecting and sharing user data without consent. Reports suggest that Facebook shared user data with commercial partners, including Cambridge Analytica, and removed required disclosures from its privacy settings.
Meta faced significant penalties for these violations, including a $5 billion fine imposed by the FTC in 2019. European regulators have also taken action against Meta for mishandling user data.
| Year | Regulatory Action | Penalty/Fine |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | FTC fine for data privacy violations | $5 billion |
| 2021 | European regulatory action | Penalties for privacy violations |
The Ongoing Impact on Sheryl Sandberg and Meta
In recent developments, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg reportedly distanced himself from the company¡¯s inclusive policies, suggesting that they were influenced by Sandberg. This move came shortly before the court¡¯s ruling on the email deletion case.
Sheryl Sandberg¡¯s legacy at Meta includes transforming the company into a profitable entity through its advertising business. She joined Meta (formerly Facebook) in 2008 and played a key role in its growth.
The outcome of this case could have significant implications for both Sandberg's future and Meta¡¯s reputation in handling user data.
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