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‘We need to force solutions on social networks’: web developer in hunger strike over Meta’s social platforms

Former Google data analyst is calling on Meta, the company behind Instagram and Facebook, to listen to his ethical concerns over social media.

For the past five days, Max Briston has spent his days at Kings Cross station, hoping to grab the attention of commuting Meta employees or highbrow journalists. His only calories during this time have been a few Coke Zeroes, hoping that a hunger strike will give him the chance propose ideas for better social networks to Meta.

For the past five days, Max Briston has spent his days at Kings Cross station, hoping to grab the attention of commuting Meta employees. His only calories during this time have been a few Coke Zeroes, hoping that a hunger strike will give him the chance propose ideas for better social networks to Meta.

“I am certain we're becoming more divided because of social media,” Max explains. “Their only aim is to show us advertising, so they're showing everyone exactly what they want to see and we're falling into echo chambers. Our political and social discussion is becoming very vitriolic, and we all seem to hate each other more.” Max also stated rising suicide rates in teenage girls for the importance of immediate action and reform.

“It's totally insane, I really doubt I’ll be successful.”

“I think I’ve got solutions, and I'm honestly just trying to talk to them,” he says. Max has decided to keep his improvements to himself until he’s in a room with Meta – but isn’t confident that day will ever come. “It's totally insane, I really doubt I’ll be successful. But you never know, even if there’s only a one percent chance. It's a good challenge anyway,” he comments.

Max’s criticisms echo growing concerns in Europe and the United State. Attorneys general of 33 US states sued the company in October 2023, accusing its apps of being addictive and saying it repeatedly misled the public about the dangers of its platforms. The European Commission has also been seeking information on how the company protects children from illegal and harmful content. Meta promised to hide sensitive posts from teenage users in January 2024, but for advocates like Max, bigger reforms are needed to minimise the toxic effects of its social platforms.

“We need to force solutions on the social networks,” Max says. “I'm completely unqualified unfortunately. I've been sending them letters, I've been harassing them on emails, but nobody pays attention to some random dude,” he continues. “I know I'm a nutter but I'm not a total ignoramus when it comes to developing stuff.”

While Max has attracted attention from journalists at national newspapers, his hunger strike is yet to garner any news coverage. This isn’t to the frustration of Max, who seems content spreading his message to passers-by at Kings Cross station.