Robby Starbuck, appointed by Meta in August as an adviser on AI bias, has been spreading disinformation about various topics, including shootings and vaccines, since his hiring. He has made unsubstantiated claims linking shooters to leftist ideologies and Democratic lawmakers to murders, all while maintaining his controversial rhetoric. Critics, including Heidi Beirich and Eric Bloem, argue that his presence on Meta undermines safety for marginalized communities and demonstrates a capitulation to extremist viewpoints.
Starbuck, known for opposing corporate diversity initiatives, leveraged a lawsuit against Meta as part of his appointment process. Despite the criticisms, he asserts that his goal is to ensure fairness in AI, arguing that the scrutiny he faces is an act of “cancel culture.”
Starbuck has pushed vaccine misinformation and promoted false claims about transgender individuals, often amplifying extreme narratives. His claims regarding shootings link them to leftist groups without credible evidence, drawing backlash from multiple sources, including local officials pointing out that his allegations lack factual basis.
The article suggests that Starbuck’s role at Meta signifies a concerning trend of corporate America aligning with far-right movements, contradicting the platform’s stated commitment to fairness and safety.
