Facebook earns $9bn despite whistleblower scandal

 

Facebook has posted better-than-expected earnings for the third quarter, as it continues to face bad press over leaked internal documents.

The social media giant made $9bn (£6.5bn) of profit in the three months to September, up from $7.8bn last year.

However, it was hit by a new privacy update to Apple's iOS 14 operating system, which made it harder for brands to target ads at specific users.

It comes amid fresh claims of unethical behaviour made by a former employee.

Frances Haugen has released a cache of internal documents to the press, alleging that Facebook put profit before user safety.

Multiple media reports say the documents show Facebook routinely failed to moderate content that promoted hate speech and sex trafficking outside of the US.