Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugan spoke in front of the Senate Consumer Affairs Sub-Committee, citing external examples of how the social network could be used for malicious purposes, suggesting that lawmakers should focus on national security issues.

Haugan, a former product manager at Facebook, said the spying activities between China and Iran and the intense violence in Myanmar and Ethiopia were closely linked to Facebook activities.

"I am concerned that in the absence of action, the extremist behavior we see today is just the beginning. What we see in Myanmar and Ethiopia now is the beginning of a series of horror stories that no one wants to read until the end,” said Haugan, referring to the recent bloodshed in Myanmar and Ethiopia.

In 2018, Facebook admitted that it had done little to stop the spread of hate speech against the Bengali minority in Myanmar.

Facebook has said it will limit the spread of misinformation in Myanmar after the military’s takeover in February this year.

Asked by a lawmaker whether Facebook was used by dictators or terrorist-based leaders, Haugan said such use was certain. Facebook is well aware of this.

Her most recent job at Facebook was with the company's Counterespionage team.

She said the group was directly tracking Chinese activities on Facebook and surveying the Uighur population around the world.

Facebook security revealed in March that Chinese hackers targeted Uyghur activists and journalists living outside of China using fake Facebook accounts and malware.

Haugan's team also monitored the active involvement of the Iranian government in spying on state actors.

"It's really happening," Haugan said.

Facebook has shut down at least 200 accounts on its platform linked to Iranian spying.