In 2010, Facebook was clandestinely collaborating with AT&T on a confidential smartphone project. The secrecy around the initiative was so imperative that when details of the project were clandestinely released, it resulted in an exclusive report in a technology-focused publication.

The leak was not well received as the exposure did not bode well for Facebook, who had no intention of portraying itself as a rival in the rapidly evolving smartphone industry. The published article not only disclosed the project but also named the developers involved and a detailed account of their professional profiles.

The journal's piece further stated that Facebook's underlying objective was to permeate deeply into user contact lists and other fundamental smartphone functions. The article concluded that the social media giant could only accomplish this if it held control over the smartphone's operating system, hence the secret project.

The situation became a tense standoff between Facebook and its competitors in the smartphone market, particularly iPhone and Android. The controversial article was published on September 19, 2010, and just three days later, Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, responded with an emotionally charged email bearing the headline 'Please Resign'.

The email, marked confidential and not for distribution, downplayed the claims made by the article. Zuckerberg expressed frustration and disappointment over the entire episode and insisted that Facebook was not involved in creating a secret phone. He lamented over the precarious position the alleged article had put the company in.

Zuckerberg continued by asserting that their positioning had now become untenable with mobile companies, who should ideally be partners. In the email, he strongly urged the employee who had leaked the information to resign without delay. He vehemently warned that if the culprit failed to comply, the company would definitely identify and deal with the offender.

Facebook's first and perhaps last attempt at a smartphone, the HTC First, was introduced in 2013 amidst much excitement. However, despite the price being reduced to $99, the phone, which boasted a dedicated Facebook button, was short-lived, thus marking the end of Facebook's venture into the smartphone market.