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Live Updates: Facebook and Twitter Executives Face Senate Questioning Live Updates: Twitter’s Dorsey to Appear in House Hearing
(35 minutes later)
• Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s chief operating officer, and Jack Dorsey, the chief executive of Twitter, are testifying in Washington on Wednesday about their companies’ response to foreign interference in elections and the moderation of online content. • At 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Jack Dorsey, Twitter’s chief executive, will testify before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the moderation of online content. He is expected to face accusations that Twitter demonstrates political bias.
• Ms. Sandberg and Mr. Dorsey are appearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. • Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s chief operating officer, and Mr. Dorsey testified on Wednesday morning about their companies’ response to foreign interference in elections and the moderation of online content.
• Larry Page, the chief executive of Google’s parent company Alphabet, was also invited but the company declined to send him. Several senators noted that no one from Google attended the hearing.• Larry Page, the chief executive of Google’s parent company Alphabet, was also invited but the company declined to send him. Several senators noted that no one from Google attended the hearing.
• At 1:30 p.m., Mr. Dorsey will testify alone before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the moderation of online content. He is expected to face accusations that Twitter demonstrates political bias. • The House hearing can be watched live on the Senate Intelligence Committee website, C-Span, and the House Energy and Commerce committee website.
• The hearings can be watched live on the Senate Intelligence Committee website, C-Span, and the House Energy and Commerce committee website. Senator Joe Manchin III, Democrat of West Virginia, asked the executives about their responsibilities to control harmful behavior on their platforms.
Joe Manchin, a Democrat of West Virginia, pressed the executives on their responsibilities for harmful behavior on their platform. He noted that the illegal sale of opioids on their platforms still exists. Mr. Manchin asked if the companies felt that they should bear some responsibility for deaths relate to opioid sales on their platform.
He noted that the illegal sale of opioids on their platforms still exists. Mr. Manchin asked if the companies felt if they should bear some responsibility for deaths relate to opioid sales on their platform. Neither Mr. Dorsey nor Ms. Sandberg answered that question directly, and they stressed the importance of laws that protect internet platforms from lawsuits.
Neither executive answered that question directly and Mr. Dorsey and Ms. Sandberg stressed importance of laws that protects internet platforms from lawsuits. The executives said they could be open to further reforms to a law that provides a safe harbor from liability to internet companies, Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The law, passed in 1996, is considered the Holy Grail of internet policy, providing broad protections that are credited with the rapid growth of Silicon Valley.
The executives said they could be open to further reforms to a liability safe harbor known as Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. The law is known as the Holy Grail of internet policy, a broad protection created in 1996 that has been credited with the rapid growth of Silicon Valley. But they said that the protection also allows them greater freedom to police bad behavior without fear of legal actions.
But they warned that the protection also allows them greater freedom to police bad behavior without fear of legal actions.
“We benefit from a lot of protections it gives,” Mr. Dorsey said.“We benefit from a lot of protections it gives,” Mr. Dorsey said.
“The safe harbor of 230 has been very important in enabling companies like ours to do proactive enforcement without increasingly our liability,” Ms. Sandberg said. “So we would like to work very closely on how this is enacted.”“The safe harbor of 230 has been very important in enabling companies like ours to do proactive enforcement without increasingly our liability,” Ms. Sandberg said. “So we would like to work very closely on how this is enacted.”
— Cecilia Kang— Cecilia Kang
Lawmakers pressed the two executives on how their platforms notify users when touched by foreign influence campaigns. Lawmakers pressed the two executives on how their platforms notify users of foreign influence campaigns.
Ms. Sandberg said Facebook is getting better at letting users know of fake accounts and ads. She raised the example of an event in Washington, D.C., that was promoted by an inauthentic account. When Facebook detected the account, the company took down the event and notified users who indicated their interest in attending.Ms. Sandberg said Facebook is getting better at letting users know of fake accounts and ads. She raised the example of an event in Washington, D.C., that was promoted by an inauthentic account. When Facebook detected the account, the company took down the event and notified users who indicated their interest in attending.
[Take our test to see if you can spot the deceptive Facebook post.]
Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, criticized Twitter for Russian activity that affected her account but that was only brought to her attention by researchers from Clemson University.Senator Susan Collins, Republican of Maine, criticized Twitter for Russian activity that affected her account but that was only brought to her attention by researchers from Clemson University.
Mr. Dorsey admitted that Twitter needed to improve its process of detecting fake accounts and notifying users, and said the company wants to work more with academics.Mr. Dorsey admitted that Twitter needed to improve its process of detecting fake accounts and notifying users, and said the company wants to work more with academics.
“We do believe in transparency and a big part of where we need the most work,” Mr. Dorsey said.“We do believe in transparency and a big part of where we need the most work,” Mr. Dorsey said.
— Cecilia Kang— Cecilia Kang
Regulation is coming. Senators made that clear in their statements to Ms. Sandberg and Mr. Dorsey. But the precise form of that legislation is unclear.Regulation is coming. Senators made that clear in their statements to Ms. Sandberg and Mr. Dorsey. But the precise form of that legislation is unclear.
“Congress is going to have to take action here,” said Senator Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia. “The era of the Wild West in social media is coming to an end.”“Congress is going to have to take action here,” said Senator Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia. “The era of the Wild West in social media is coming to an end.”
Several lawmakers indicated that they saw an opening for regulation related to election interference on social media platforms, because they considered it a threat to national security. Other senators appeared to favor a privacy approach, focusing on individual rights to control personal data.Several lawmakers indicated that they saw an opening for regulation related to election interference on social media platforms, because they considered it a threat to national security. Other senators appeared to favor a privacy approach, focusing on individual rights to control personal data.
Data privacy, said Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat from Oregon, would serve as the “foundation” of legislation that he has previously discussed with Twitter and Facebook.Data privacy, said Senator Ron Wyden, Democrat from Oregon, would serve as the “foundation” of legislation that he has previously discussed with Twitter and Facebook.
Social media companies are resigned to the notion that regulation is on its way. Twitter and Facebook have endorsed the Honest Ads Act, a proposal that would require more transparency about who is paying for online ads, and have begun building so-called ad transparency centers on their platforms.Social media companies are resigned to the notion that regulation is on its way. Twitter and Facebook have endorsed the Honest Ads Act, a proposal that would require more transparency about who is paying for online ads, and have begun building so-called ad transparency centers on their platforms.
But expect some resistance from the tech giants. In a white paper, Mr. Warner proposed 20 legislative possibilities. When pressed on one of the proposals, Ms. Sandberg replied, “We don’t think it’s a question of whether regulation, we think it’s a question of the right regulation.”But expect some resistance from the tech giants. In a white paper, Mr. Warner proposed 20 legislative possibilities. When pressed on one of the proposals, Ms. Sandberg replied, “We don’t think it’s a question of whether regulation, we think it’s a question of the right regulation.”
— Kate Conger— Kate Conger
Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, questioned the executives on their allegiance to American values like free speech as they are pressured by foreign nations to suppress the voices of users outside the United States.Senator Marco Rubio, Republican of Florida, questioned the executives on their allegiance to American values like free speech as they are pressured by foreign nations to suppress the voices of users outside the United States.
“Your company would not exist if not for United States and the freedoms we have,” Mr. Rubio said.“Your company would not exist if not for United States and the freedoms we have,” Mr. Rubio said.
When asked about Facebook’s commitment to free speech globally, Ms. Sandberg said, “We support these principles around the world,” adding that the company does not have servers in Vietnam and would apply those same principles to China.When asked about Facebook’s commitment to free speech globally, Ms. Sandberg said, “We support these principles around the world,” adding that the company does not have servers in Vietnam and would apply those same principles to China.
With Twitter, which defines itself as a global town square, Mr. Rubio said he was concerned that foreign governments could pressure the company to stifle speech.With Twitter, which defines itself as a global town square, Mr. Rubio said he was concerned that foreign governments could pressure the company to stifle speech.
Mr. Dorsey responded by saying that the company regularly pushes back against nations like Turkey, which demands the site censor certain voices.Mr. Dorsey responded by saying that the company regularly pushes back against nations like Turkey, which demands the site censor certain voices.
“Oftentimes we’ve won but that’s not always the case. We would like to fight freely and see everything,” Mr. Dorsey said.“Oftentimes we’ve won but that’s not always the case. We would like to fight freely and see everything,” Mr. Dorsey said.
Mr. Rubio had strong words for Google, saying the company’s decision to miss the hearing was “maybe because they are arrogant,” or maybe because its executives wanted to dodge questions over a recent report of a consumer watchdog group posing as a Russian troll farm that tried to buy ads on Google.Mr. Rubio had strong words for Google, saying the company’s decision to miss the hearing was “maybe because they are arrogant,” or maybe because its executives wanted to dodge questions over a recent report of a consumer watchdog group posing as a Russian troll farm that tried to buy ads on Google.
— Cecilia Kang— Cecilia Kang
Ms. Sandberg and Mr. Dorsey’s opening statements displayed their obvious differences.Ms. Sandberg and Mr. Dorsey’s opening statements displayed their obvious differences.
Ms. Sandberg, who was born in Washington, and spent years living there during her time at the Treasury Department, appeared confident in her opening remarks. Speaking clearly and with practiced pacing, she complimented the committee’s previous work on election interference.Ms. Sandberg, who was born in Washington, and spent years living there during her time at the Treasury Department, appeared confident in her opening remarks. Speaking clearly and with practiced pacing, she complimented the committee’s previous work on election interference.
Mr. Dorsey stumbled during his opening, forgetting to turn on his microphone and reading from a cellphone he held in his hand. He added that he was also live-tweeting his opening remarks through his Twitter account.Mr. Dorsey stumbled during his opening, forgetting to turn on his microphone and reading from a cellphone he held in his hand. He added that he was also live-tweeting his opening remarks through his Twitter account.
While Ms. Sandberg made consistent eye contact with the senators, Mr. Dorsey appeared to be reading from his phone between questions.While Ms. Sandberg made consistent eye contact with the senators, Mr. Dorsey appeared to be reading from his phone between questions.
Leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee struck a more positive tone toward Facebook and Twitter at the start of the hearing, commending them for efforts they have taken in the past year to combat disinformation campaigns and foreign meddling on their platform.Leaders of the Senate Intelligence Committee struck a more positive tone toward Facebook and Twitter at the start of the hearing, commending them for efforts they have taken in the past year to combat disinformation campaigns and foreign meddling on their platform.
Committee chairman Richard Burr, a Republican of North Carolina, and vice chairman, Mark Warner, a Democrat of Virginia, said the companies appear to take the problems seriously but that they can’t solve their problems alone.Committee chairman Richard Burr, a Republican of North Carolina, and vice chairman, Mark Warner, a Democrat of Virginia, said the companies appear to take the problems seriously but that they can’t solve their problems alone.
“My instinct is to applaud the diligence of your security teams and credit you with taking the problem seriously,” Mr. Burr said in opening remarks. “But I’m not sure your success is the big story here.”“My instinct is to applaud the diligence of your security teams and credit you with taking the problem seriously,” Mr. Burr said in opening remarks. “But I’m not sure your success is the big story here.”
Mr. Warner said Congress may need to act to help the companies combat foreign interference on their sites.Mr. Warner said Congress may need to act to help the companies combat foreign interference on their sites.
“You’ve gotten better, and I’m pleased to see you’ve begun to take action, but the Russians are getting better as well,” Mr. Warner said. “They have become harder to track. Worse, now that the Russian playbook is out there, other adversaries, like Iran, have joined the fray.”“You’ve gotten better, and I’m pleased to see you’ve begun to take action, but the Russians are getting better as well,” Mr. Warner said. “They have become harder to track. Worse, now that the Russian playbook is out there, other adversaries, like Iran, have joined the fray.”
— Cecilia Kang and Sheera Frenkel— Cecilia Kang and Sheera Frenkel
It did not take long for accusations of political bias to come crashing to the door of the Senate’s hearing room Wednesday morning. As senators delivered staid opening statements about threats to democratic elections, Alex Jones, one of the internet’s best known right-wing conspiracy theorists, stood just beyond the hearing room doors doing his best to crash the party.It did not take long for accusations of political bias to come crashing to the door of the Senate’s hearing room Wednesday morning. As senators delivered staid opening statements about threats to democratic elections, Alex Jones, one of the internet’s best known right-wing conspiracy theorists, stood just beyond the hearing room doors doing his best to crash the party.
“The real election meddling is by Facebook and Google and others that are shadow banning people,” Mr. Jones bellowed to a bank of cameras. “They are outright banning people and they are blocking conservatives involved in their own First Amendment political speech.”“The real election meddling is by Facebook and Google and others that are shadow banning people,” Mr. Jones bellowed to a bank of cameras. “They are outright banning people and they are blocking conservatives involved in their own First Amendment political speech.”
Facebook and YouTube banned Mr. Jones and his site, InfoWars, from their platforms in early August, sending traffic to the website tumbling.Facebook and YouTube banned Mr. Jones and his site, InfoWars, from their platforms in early August, sending traffic to the website tumbling.
[Read more about the how Alex Jones’s Infowars was impacted by a social media ban.]
Jack Posobiec, an ally of Mr. Jones, quickly stepped out of the crowd, microphone in hand, to conduct his own interview before rolling cameras. He complained about being barred from testifying. And he claimed his words were repeatedly misrepresented.Jack Posobiec, an ally of Mr. Jones, quickly stepped out of the crowd, microphone in hand, to conduct his own interview before rolling cameras. He complained about being barred from testifying. And he claimed his words were repeatedly misrepresented.
“Think about this in America, think about this in America,” he said.“Think about this in America, think about this in America,” he said.
Still, despite Mr. Jones’s best efforts, the social media executives and the sideshows they attracted were a clear second fiddle on Capitol Hill, where elsewhere senators had gathered for the second day of confirmation hearings for Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.Still, despite Mr. Jones’s best efforts, the social media executives and the sideshows they attracted were a clear second fiddle on Capitol Hill, where elsewhere senators had gathered for the second day of confirmation hearings for Judge Brett M. Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court.
— Nicholas Fandos— Nicholas Fandos
Intelligence committee chairman Senator Richard Burr, a Republican of North Carolina, opened the hearing by questioning whether Twitter was transparent enough about how it regulated its platform. The committee’s co-chairman, Senator Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia, questioned whether the companies were capable of solving the problems on their platforms themselves, or whether the government should step in and regulate tech companies. Senator Richard Burr, the North Carolina Republican who is the committee chairman, opened the hearing by questioning whether Twitter was transparent enough about how it regulated its platform. Senator Mark Warner, Democrat of Virginia and the committee’s vice chairman, asked whether technology companieswere capable of solving the problems on their platforms themselves, or whether the government should step in and regulate them.
Both Mr. Burr and Mr. Warner slammed Google for failing to send their chief executive. Mr. Burr and Mr. Warner both criticized Google for failing to send their chief executive to the hearing.
“I’m deeply disappointed that Google — one of the most influential digital platforms in the world — chose not to send its own top corporate leadership to engage this committee,” said Mr. Warner. “I’m deeply disappointed that Google — one of the most influential digital platforms in the world — chose not to send its own top corporate leadership to engage this committee,” Mr. Warner said.
Ms. Sandberg and Mr. Dorsey arrived at the Senate Intelligence Committee nearly an hour before the hearing was set to start. The two were flanked by a number of Facebook and Twitter staffers, including Brandon Borrman, Twitter’s vice president of communications, and Joel Kaplan, Facebook vice president of global public policy. [Here’s what we know about how Google ranks news results.]
The executives waited in the Senate anteroom together until the hearing began at 9:30 a.m. The Senate Intelligence Committee had set out three chairs, including one for Larry Page, the chief executive of Google’s parent company Alphabet. Mr. Page’s chair is expected to remain empty during the hearing. Ms. Sandberg and Mr. Dorsey arrived for the hearing nearly an hour before it was to start. They were flanked by Facebook and Twitter staff members, including Brandon Borrman, Twitter’s vice president of communications, and Joel Kaplan, Facebook’s vice president of global public policy.
The executives waited in the Senate anteroom until the hearing began at 9:30 a.m. The committee had set out three chairs, including one for Larry Page, the chief executive of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, at the witness table. The chair for Mr. Page was expected to remain empty throughout the hearing.
— Sheera Frenkel— Sheera Frenkel