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Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen just told a room full of lawmakers Mark Zuckerberg's company is just like Big Tobacco ... and she wants government oversight.

Frances is testifying before Congress Tuesday and she just ripped into her former employer ... saying FB deepens divides, destabilized democracies and makes young girls and women feel bad about their bodies.

A former product manager at Facebook, Frances says FB is shaping people's perception of the world by manipulating what folks see on their feeds ... calling the influence FB wields "frightening."

As we first told you ... Frances is being hailed as a "patriot" by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who told us Haugen is saving our democracy with her "60 Minutes" interview and testimony before Congress.

Elizabeth Warren says the Facebook employee who blew the lid on how they allegedly put profits over accuracy says she shouldn't be called a whistleblower ... but a patriot.

The U.S. Senator was on Capitol Hill Monday, where we got a chance to ask what she made of Frances Haugen's appearance on '60 Minutes' ... on which she made some bombshell claims against her former employer, for whom she worked up until earlier this year.

ICYMI ... Haugen alleged FB honchos have opted, of late, to highlight divisive -- and oftentimes erroneous -- posts and/or content on the platform ... killing their news filtering process in place for the election, and helping fuel the Jan. 6 insurrection with inaction.

Like we said, heavy-hitting stuff ... to which Sen. Warren says, good for her -- and also, THANK YOU.

Check out how she characterizes Haugen coming forward ... she uses the word "democracy" and says the woman is actually working to preserve our system of government by getting the word out on how this mega social media company is allegedly operating behind the scenes.

A lot of people are singing Haugen's praises right about now -- especially as she's set to testify on this exact issue in front of Congress in the not too distant future.

Of course, we also had to ask the Senator about this weird mass outage that unfolded Monday -- literally on the heels of Haugen speaking out ... which had FB, Instagram, What's App and a ton of other services down. People were slowly able to access their accounts after 6 hours.

Offset is joining his wife in defense of Lizzo ... he says the haters and online trolls need to back off and let her be great.

We got Offset in Beverly Hills on Wednesday and our photog asked if he's got a message for the folks coming after Lizzo on social media.

Offset says anyone who has a problem with Lizzo needs to stop judging her and giving off negative energy ... telling us it's time to just let women like Lizzo live.

The way Offset sees it ... celebs like him, Cardi B and Lizzo are just working hard to be entertainers for folks across the world, and people need to let them be.

As we first told you ... Facebook's deleting hateful comments directed at Lizzo from its social media platforms and removing troll accounts, after Lizzo broke down over all the hate and negativity coming her way and Cardi rushed to her side.

Facebook is stepping in to scrub hateful comments directed at Lizzo from its social media platforms ... and some trolls are even getting their accounts removed.

Sources at Facebook tell TMZ ... the company's already removed a number of comments left on Lizzo's recent Facebook and Instagram posts, and FB will continue reviewing reports of hateful comments on an ongoing basis.

As we reported ... Lizzo broke down on video over the weekend, crying over being the subject of fat-shaming and racist comments. She said she noticed people go out of their way to rip her and she couldn't make sense of it, and all the hate was getting to her.

Our Facebook sources also tell us they're removing accounts of users who continue breaking community guidelines around hate speech, harassment and bullying -- so, any trolls going after Lizzo could soon get the ax.

Those who are unvaccinated and want to continue working at Netflix, Facebook or Google in the near future better roll up their sleeves ... and get the jab, 'cause it'll be mandatory.

The news that all 3 media behemoths would be requiring COVID vaccines for in-office/on-set work came down Wednesday. Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, reportedly sent an email to employees, saying they were delaying their full office return to October 18, due to the recent Delta spikes.

He also noted, however, that anyone coming back to work in the office after that would have to be inoculated, and show proof. It's unclear if Google will continue to let employees work from home part-time -- something they said they'd allow back in December ... with workers required to come in at least 3 days a week once things were totally back to normal.

Facebook came out and said they'd be doing the same soon -- confirming that employees looking to come work at U.S. offices going forward would need to prove they've gotten a shot ... while also offering a small concession for those who don't get vaxxed, saying medical and/or other reasons will be considered and evaluated as they navigate a way forward.

Netflix implemented something similar this week as well. They reportedly told their in-house production teams and partners that folks working in "Zone A" -- which encompasses actors and those in close proximity to them -- would be required to be vaxxed up.

They seem to be the first studio to draw a hard line in the sand on this issue -- and other studios may follow suit now that they've taken this uncertain first step.

Netflix's regular employees, meanwhile, have by and large been WFH during the pandemic -- something their CEO, Reed Hastings, has suggested he hates ... and wants to put an end to as soon as a majority of his workforce is vaccinated. He called WFH a "pure negative."

If the show "America's Dumbest Criminals" is ever revived it's got prime content courtesy of a woman in Oklahoma who got herself arrested after commenting on Tulsa PD's "Most Wanted" Facebook post ... about her whereabouts.

So, here's the deal, Tulsa PD posted Lorraine Graves as the "Weekly Most Wanted" for accessory to murder in a homicide that went down earlier this year. Graves' comment was about the reward money. She asked, "What's where's the reward money at." Not smart.

The post was quickly flooded with comments from others ... including a woman who said, "Giiiiirl you better stay off social media they can track you!!" A man responded, "Ain't gonna be as funny when you get processed." The post drew around 1,200 comments.

The day after the post ... cops say detectives tracked down Graves and arrested her and charged her with accessory to murder. Her bond's been set at $500k.

Two other suspects had previously been arrested earlier this year and were reportedly hit with murder charges for a shooting that killed a 30-year-old man at an apartment complex.

Shannon Beador wants diet pill companies to keep her name out of their mouth, and her face off their Facebook and Instagram ads ... and now she's suing to make it happen.

The 'Real Housewives of Orange County' star filed suit against FB, which also owns IG, claiming third-party vendors are using her good name to hawk dietary supplements on the social media platforms and tricking customers into thinking she endorses the products.

According to the docs, obtained by TMZ, Shannon claims at least 15 vendors are using her name, image and likeness to prop up their products ... even though she says she has no connection whatsoever with the companies.

In her suit, Shannon claims the whole operation is a big scam ... and she says it's undermining her career, sullying her good name and making it harder for her to endorse brands she actually likes.

Donald Trump has filed class-action lawsuits against the 3 social media giants -- Facebook, Twitter and YouTube -- claiming the tech companies are censoring him and conservatives.

According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Trump claims the Silicon Valley companies "engaged in impermissible censorship." He accuses them of hiding behind Section 230 ... the internet law that protects tech companies from lawsuits over content moderation decisions.

The lawsuit claims Facebook, Twitter and YouTube rise are not just typical private companies but more akin to a state actor. As such, Trump claims they have to abide by the First Amendment right to free speech.

Trump claims they "indefinitely banned the sitting President of the United States for exercising his constitutional right of free speech."

At a news conference from his golf club in Bedminster, NJ, Trump said, "We are going to hold big tech very accountable."

As you know ... Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg, who is a named defendant, banned Trump from the platform in the wake of the Capitol riot ... saying it was too great a risk to America for Trump to remain on the platform. The ban's been extended until early 2023.

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey followed suit and banned Trump permanently. Google chief Sundar Pichai also deactivated Trump from YouTube, which is owned by Google.

Trump also claims the companies have mounted "an aggressive campaign of censorship against a multitude of [conservatives] through censorship (flagging, shadow banning, etc.) resulting from legislative coercion."

Then there's this ... Trump claims the social media ban came "at the behest of, with cooperation from, and the approval of, Democrat lawmakers."

Mark Zuckerberg looks like a modern-day George Washington crossing the Delaware River -- but instead of sneaking across on a boat, he's tearing through on an e-surfboard.

The Facebook honcho posted an Independence Day tribute ... and it's patriotic enough, we suppose. The dude's riding one of those eFoil electric boards that basically lets you coast along the top of any body of water. He's super into it ... has tons of videos of him on one.

This time, he looks to be in Lake Tahoe -- where he owns a massive compound, right on the shore -- and as he maintained his balance going at a good speed, he was carrying an American flag with him.

He also overlayed his clip with John Denver's "Take Me Home, Country Roads" -- which is a great tune, and definitely screams 'Merica ... but doesn't really quite fit for this setting, at least in our minds. Maybe the Beach Boys' "Surfin' USA" would be more appropriate???

At any rate, you can definitely see the historical note he was going for here ... and we'll give him this, it's a cool idea. Twitter, of course, isn't really having it right now -- people on there are making tons of jokes at Mark's expense ... not to mention all the other tech billionaires having a ball with their cool toys lately. People really don't like the uber-rich these days. 😅

Donald Trump could jettison his threat to run for Prez again, and instead become a junior member of the House of Reps ... but there's a twist.

Trump was on a right-wing radio show and asked about an idea Steve Bannon concocted ... that Trump runs for the House next year. D.C. insiders believe there's a real chance Republicans could re-capture control of the House in the midterm election, and that could position him to then throw his hat in the ring as Speaker.

On the Wayne Allyn Root radio show Friday, Trump called the idea "interesting."

It seems improbable, but that has never stopped Trump before. He's toyed with his supporters, suggesting he'll make another Presidential run in 2024. That, of course, could be complicated by the various criminal investigations involving him, his family and his businesses.

Trump also took a shot at Mark Zuckerberg. As you know, Facebook has now banned Trump for 2 years, saying his social media posts represented a real threat. Trump fired back, "Next time I'm in the White House, there will be no more dinners, at his request, with Mark Zuckerberg and his wife. It will all be business!"

Facebook is dropping the hammer on Donald Trump ... announcing he'll remain off the platform until early 2023 due to the "risk to public safety."

The social media giant said Friday it's decided that "given the gravity of the circumstances that led to Mr. Trump’s suspension, we believe his actions constituted a severe violation of our rules which merit the highest penalty available under the new enforcement protocols."

The suspension is effective from the date of the initial suspension ... which came down on January 7. Facebook says it'll reevaluate at the end of that period and "if we determine that there is still a serious risk to public safety, we will extend the restriction for a set period of time and continue to re-evaluate until that risk has receded."

Facebook says when the suspension is eventually lifted "there will be a strict set of rapidly escalating sanctions that will be triggered" if Trump acts up again ... which could include a permanent ban.

Trump, of course, was NOT happy about the decision ... calling Facebook's decision an insult to the 75 million people who voted for him in the last election. He added, "[Facebook] shouldn’t be allowed to get away with this censoring and silencing and, ultimately, we will win. Our [c]ountry can’t take this abuse anymore!"

As we reported, Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg banned Trump from the platform in the wake of the Capitol riot ... saying it was too great a risk to America for Trump to remain on the platform.

Zuckerberg had hoped Facebook's oversight board would make a final decision on Trump's ban when it met a month ago. Instead, the board told Zuckerberg he would have to make that call.

Facebook says it knows its decision will face backlash -- with some saying a private company had overreached, while others will say it went soft on Trump by not issuing a lifetime ban.

Interestingly, IF Trump opts to run for Prez again ... January 2023 would be a critical time for him to get back on social media.

President Trump's still persona non grata on Facebook and Instagram ... despite a rumor that spread like wildfire.

Folks got all up in arms Wednesday after a popular Trump critic tweeted that 45's social media ban on 2 major platforms appeared to be lifted ... but a rep for Facebook and a source close to Trump tells us that's NOT the case.

We're told Trump's profile page is simply still viewable, but he can't put up new posts, as it's been for the past several months. His last post, from January 6, is still the one at the top of his page.

As we reported ... Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg banned Trump from Facebook in the wake of the Capitol riot ... saying it was too great a risk to America for Trump to remain on the platform.

Zuck had hoped Facebook's oversight board would make a final decision on Trump's ban, but instead, the board kicked that decision right back up to Zuckerberg. The next decision as to whether or not Trump will continue to be banned from the platform will happen in November.

Mark Zuckerberg not taking any chances sharing the ocean with sharks ... because he's hooked himself up to a contraption that supposedly keeps them at bay.

Mark was out on his hydrofoil surfboard in Kauai, Hawaii Thursday, wearing an ankle bracelet called Sharkbanz. The promise is that sharks don't like what it emits, so they stay clear of surfers. The device sends out an electrical current that apparently drives sharks away.

But, there are other, more subtle deterrents. His board has a zebra pattern underneath ... the theory goes that sharks like seeing solid colors because it resembles food, so they're not into stripes. Good theory, but sounds a little sketchy.

Shark Week is coming up on Discovery ... they shoulda featured Mark on how not to get eaten!

Zuck posted video of him on the board, and gotta say .... he's really good in the water. It's pretty choppy, but Mark stays up and bounces atop the swells. He's been surfing for years.

If Mark Zuckerberg thought he could dodge the big decision on whether Donald Trump gets back on Facebook, its independent panel's essentially saying not so fast, Zuck ... according to a leading tech journalist.

Kara Swisher, once dubbed Silicon Valley's most powerful tech journalist, joined "TMZ Live" Wednesday and broke down the decision by Facebook's oversight board to uphold Zuck suspending Trump from the social media platform.

Kara says the board's decision only says Zuckerberg's initial call to ban Trump was fine, but as far as banning him permanently -- it's kicked that decision right back to Zuckerberg. Essentially, they're not gonna do the dirty work for him.

The board's given Facebook some time to sort this out -- but Kara says the mission for Zuck is to establish the companies "rules of the road" when it comes to speech ... for Trump and all politicians. She says only then can the panel decide if FB's rules are fair.

Remember ... it was Zuckerberg who banned Trump from Facebook in the wake of the Capitol riot ... saying it was too great a risk to America for Trump to remain on the platform.

Donald Trump's Facebook ban has been upheld, but it may not be forever.

The Facebook oversight board has said the former Prez is persona non grata on its platform. Now here's the caveat ... the board decided Facebook -- i.e., Mark Zuckerberg -- can lift the suspension 6 months from the date of suspension.

Trump was banned from Facebook January 7 ... the day after the Capitol insurrection. Facebook determined Trump's incendiary comments contributed to the riot. Zuckerberg posted that there was too great a risk to America if Trump stayed on the platform.

That means Trump could hop back on the platform within 6 months.

The oversight board was appointed with members who are not affiliated with Facebook, including the former Prime Minister of Denmark. But, come 6 months from now, the ball will be in Zuckerberg's court and he can make the decision to reinstate Trump.

Trump has been relatively silent since he left office, largely because he's been banned from numerous platforms.

A mayor in Texas has thrown in the towel after going on a heartless rant ... calling residents lazy and crybabies as the state suffers from massive power outages in frigid temps.

Tim Boyd said he's resigning as Mayor of Colorado City, Texas ... just hours after he posted a lengthy rant on Facebook, grousing, "no one owes you or your family anything" and that "the city and county, along with power providers or any other services, owes you NOTHING!"

The diatribe came as most of the Lone Star State has gone without power and water for at least 3 days. Texas and much of the South is being slammed with a once-in-a-generation snowstorm ... resulting in at least 5 deaths.

But, even as the weather brought Texas to a halt and sent residents literally running for warm cover ... Boyd called the dire situation a "sink or swim" moment for residents. He also said he's "sick and tired of people looking for a damn handout."