October 5, 2021—In a bipartisan hearing investigating practices at Facebook and its platforms, senators promised to take on what they said is the “immense power” of big tech.
If big tech won’t act to protect consumers and children, “Congress has to intervene,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, the subcommittee chair. He added that Facebook “dodged, sidetrack, and in effect misled” the subcommittee in August when the senators and staff engage the company in their investigation. It’s reached a point, Blumenthal said, that “Facebook and big tech are facing a big-tobacco moment.”
“Big tech has gotten away with abusing consumers for too long,” said Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, the ranking chair.
Possible legislative changes include: lifting Section 230 immunity for social media platforms, using antitrust legislation to break up monopolies, and creating protections for consumers and children.
For context, Facebook has acquired more than 70 companies, including the $19 billion WhatsApp, the $1 billion Instagram, and Lightbox. A House panel conducted an antitrust investigation last year into big tech.
‘Regulate Social Media,’ Says Whistleblower
Francis Haugen, the former Facebook employee who asked for whistleblower protection after disclosing damning information about the company, advocated for a regulated social media marketplace.
She is a data scientist who is a believer in social media as a tool and has worked on four types of social networks. Haugen singled out Facebook, its founder, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and the platforms the company owns as being ethically unsound.
“The buck stops with Mark,” Haugen said. Zuckerberg built an organization where “the metrics make the decision,” which creates an environment where no one is responsible.
Haugen also called on Congress to create a federal regulatory body, which former technology workers like herself to regulate tech companies.
To watch the hearing directly, go to the subcommittee website.
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