Meta's No. 2 Sandberg Faces Investigation Over Pressure on UK Media to Block Ex-Boyfriend Article

Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Meta Platforms

[Asia Economy Reporter Jeong Hyunjin] Cheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Meta Platforms, the parent company of Facebook and its 'second-in-command,' is reportedly facing an internal investigation after pressuring a British media outlet to block unfavorable articles about her former boyfriend, Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, according to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 21st (local time).

WSJ, citing sources, reported that Facebook recently launched an investigation into Sandberg's actions, considering the possibility that she may have violated company policies related to this matter.

The investigation concerns Sandberg's contacts with the British newspaper Daily Mail in 2016 and 2019. At that time, the Daily Mail was investigating a court ruling from 2014 that revealed Kotick had received a restraining order for harassing his ex-girlfriend.

According to sources familiar with the matter, Sandberg and Kotick formed a team with employees from Facebook and Activision Blizzard, as well as external lawyers, to persuade the Daily Mail to halt the publication of the article. Their romantic relationship reportedly began in 2016, the year when the pressure was exerted, and ended in 2019.

During discussions on the 2016 response, sources said Kotick mentioned to others that Sandberg told the Daily Mail that "if that article is published, it could harm the business relationship between the Daily Mail and Facebook." Kotick denied this to WSJ, stating, "I never said that."

Close associates of Sandberg believe she did not make direct threats, but considering Facebook's influence on the news industry, her calls likely felt like a form of warning to the Daily Mail. Some analysts suggest that even without explicit statements, it could have been sufficiently intimidating.

In the second contact in 2019, Sandberg reportedly sent an email directly to Jonathan Harmsworth, a descendant of the Daily Mail's founder. Harmsworth, who does not interfere with editorial decisions, passed the matter to the editor-in-chief, who then appeared to communicate with Sandberg, WSJ reported.

Subsequently, Kotick faced pressure from employees to resign amid allegations of ignoring widespread sexual harassment and bullying within the company. However, after Microsoft (MS) acquired the company earlier this year, he is expected to retain his position at least until next year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.