Mark Zuckerberg’s leaked video resurfaces amidst censorship accusations: What’s the real story?

A resurfaced video of Mark Zuckerberg discussing Covid-19 vaccines has sparked controversy, coinciding with Meta CEO‘s recent claims that the Biden-Harris administration pressured Facebook to censor pandemic-related content. While the timing of the video seems striking, it has been widely taken out of context.
The controversial video
The video, dating back to 2021, gained attention after being shared by Twitter user James Cintolo (@healthbyjames).In the footage, Zuckerberg expresses concern about the long-term effects of Covid-19 vaccines and the risks associated with mRNA technology. “I share some caution on this, because we just don’t know the long-term side effects of modifying people’s DNA and RNA,” Zuckerberg says.

Originally released by Project Veritas in early 2021, the video has been criticized as showcasing Zuckerberg’s alleged hypocrisy. Critics claim he publicly promoted vaccines while privately expressing doubts. The footage, taken from a July 2020 Facebook Q&A session, was recorded during a time when vaccines were still in development.
Social media reaction
The video’s resurfacing has led to widespread criticism online. Users have accused Zuckerberg of censorship and questioned his integrity. “Never forget how Mark Zuckerberg knew the effects of the mRNA vaccine and continued to censor the truth about it on Facebook anyway,” one user commented. Another added, “This is Mark Zuckerberg warning his staff about the Covid vaccines, yet he used his platform to censor people who spoke about the same thing he warned his employees about.”

The missing context
The controversy surrounding the video stems from a fragmented version of Zuckerberg’s comments. A full transcript uncovered by Snopes reveals that his statements were part of a broader discussion on vaccine development and safety. “There was a positive announcement by Moderna about their – you know, their first round of trials this week. No one has any bad side effects yet,” Zuckerberg reportedly said, emphasizing the uncertainty surrounding early vaccine trials.

Zuckerberg’s recent comments on censorship
In a recent letter to the House Judiciary Committee, Zuckerberg expressed regret over Facebook’s role in censoring Covid-19 content. He admitted that the pressure from the Biden administration to manage pandemic-related information was inappropriate. “I believe the government pressure was wrong, and I regret that we were not more outspoken about it,” Zuckerberg said.