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Meta COO Sandberg reportedly tried to block news story about Activision CEO Kotick

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Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook Inc.

David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images

MetaSheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of the Daily Mail was part of an effort to stop publication by the Daily Mail of unfavorable reports about her. ActivisionBobby Kotick (CEO of Blizzard), according to a Wall Street Journal storyPubliated Thursday

Facebook is currently reviewing whether Sandberg has violated company rules.

Sandberg was dating Kotick at the time she contacted The Mail Digital Edition in 2016 and 2019. She wanted to stop a story that a Kotick ex-girlfriend had filed against him. The Journal quoted unnamed sources who were involved in the story and the campaign to end it.

Sandberg, Kotick and a group of Activision employees worked together to develop a strategy that would convince the Mail not a publish the article. The report says that Sandberg’s advisors were concerned it might reflect negatively on her, given her history of advocating for women.

Kotick was recently under attack for his behavior. reported knowledge of sexual misconduct allegationsActivision.

Meta spokeswoman said that Sandberg had not threatened MailOnline’s Facebook business relationship to intrude on an editorial decision. This story tries to create connections that do not exist.

According to reports, there were “conflicting accounts” about Sandberg’s language usage and whether or not she directly invoked Facebook when speaking with Mail. However, the report stated that Facebook’s huge influence over distribution in the news media could have had an important impact on the industry without any direct threat.

Activision’s board stated that they were aware of the incident reported in 2014. This statement seems to reference the restraining or.

It wrote that Mr. Kotick had notified the Senior Independent Director of Board at the time of 2014’s incident. He has since updated the Board with new information and been completely transparent with the Board. Through Skadden Arps as counsel, the Board has thoroughly examined the circumstances and facts of these events and concluded there were no merits to them. It also noted that they relate to an individual relationship which has nothing to do w/ the Company’s business. The Board maintains full trust in Mr. Kotick’s leadership skills and ability to manage the Company.

Microsoft had announced that it would acquire Activision Blizzard, a company worth $68.7 billion in an all cash deal.

The Daily Mail didn’t immediately reply to our request for comment.

You can read the entire report here The Wall Street Journal.

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