This week, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg heads to Washington for a marathon of hearings on Capitol Hill, following revelations that the social media giant learned more than two years ago that the data of up to 87 million of its users was obtained by political research firm Cambridge Analytica, and potentially used to influence the 2016 election. Zuckerberg’s lawmaker audience will likely be livid, and is expected to lob sharp questions at the tech billionaire about steps Facebook is taking to protect user privacy, and to avoid future interference by foreign actors in American elections. In preparation for the hearings, Facebook has hired an army of consultants and experts to give Zuckerberg “a crash course in humility and charm,” the New York Times reported on Sunday. The hearings will mark his first time testifying before Congress.
So it’s only natural that Zuckerberg this weekend got the satiric treatment before his debut in Washington. SNL cast member Alex Moffat played the Facebook founder doing a TV news interview about the upcoming hearings with an “anchor” played by SNL’s Colin Jost. Sporting Zuckerberg’s signature gray t-shirt, Moffat nailed the Facebook founder’s look and demeanor, while mercilessly mocking his company’s approach to personal data.
Moffat’s Zuckerberg opens the interview with a robotic greeting to the TV host: “Begin eye contact — two, three and away,” he says, turning back to the camera. “Nailed it.”
Moffat’s Zuckerberg then proceeds to apologize, rather unsuccessfully, to Facebook users for mishandling their data, and then promises that Facebook is going to improve.
“That’s great. So users will be able to delete their data?” Jost asks.
“No,” Zuckerberg replies. “Because it’s mine. You gave it to me. No backsies. And if you don’t like it, you can Zuck it!”
You can watch the full skit above.
