US lawmakers fume over Big Tech's answers on misinformation | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Wednesday
July 09, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
WEDNESDAY, JULY 09, 2025
US lawmakers fume over Big Tech's answers on misinformation

World+Biz

Reuters
27 March, 2021, 10:30 am
Last modified: 27 March, 2021, 10:58 am

Related News

  • Google's AI Overviews hit by EU antitrust complaint from independent publishers
  • AL man arrested in Ctg for ‘threatening to kill CA, CJ, army chief’ in Facebook video
  • Google Pay launched in Bangladesh for the first time
  • All new Facebook videos to be classified as Reels soon: Meta
  • Google offers buyouts to more workers amid AI-driven tech upheaval and antitrust uncertainty

US lawmakers fume over Big Tech's answers on misinformation

Social media has been widely blamed for amplifying calls to violence and spreading misinformation that contributed to the January 6 attempt to violently overturn the election results

Reuters
27 March, 2021, 10:30 am
Last modified: 27 March, 2021, 10:58 am
Photo: BSS/AFP
Photo: BSS/AFP

In their first appearance before Congress since Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol, the chief executives of Facebook, Google and Twitter were asked by US lawmakers whether their platforms bore some responsibility for the riot: "yes or no?"

Social media has been widely blamed for amplifying calls to violence and spreading misinformation that contributed to the January 6 attempt to violently overturn the election results.

Only Twitter Inc CEO Jack Dorsey replied "yes" to the question, but said the "broader ecosystem" had to be taken into account. Sundar Pichai, chief executive of Google parent Alphabet Inc, said the company always feels a sense of responsibility but it was a complex question.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Facebook Inc's CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his company was responsible for building "effective systems". He also said that the rioters and former President Donald Trump should be held accountable.

Lawmakers widely slammed the platforms' approach to false or dangerous content. The three companies have taken steps to curb misinformation but researchers have shown it is still widely present on the platforms.

"We fled as a mob desecrated the Capitol, the House floor, and our democratic process," said Democratic Representative Mike Doyle, who asked the CEOs about their responsibility. "That attack, and the movement that motivated it, started and was nourished on your platforms," he added.

The hearing was virtual but advocacy group SumOfUs erected cut-outs of the three CEOs dressed as Jan. 6 rioters on the National Mall near the Capitol. One showed Zuckerberg as the "QAnon Shaman," a shirtless rioter wearing horns.

In the joint hearing, held by two subcommittees of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, lawmakers also questioned the executives on the proliferation of COVID-19 and vaccine misinformation and raised concerns about the impact of social media on children - including asking questions about Facebook's plan to create a version of Instagram for kids.

"Your business model itself has become the problem and the time for self-regulation is over. It's time we legislate to hold you accountable," said Democratic Representative Frank Pallone, chair of the Energy and Commerce committee.

Some lawmakers are calling for Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which shields online platforms from liability over user content, to be scrapped or rejigged. There are several pieces of legislation from Democrats to reform Section 230 that are doing the rounds in Congress, though progress has been slow. Several Republican lawmakers have also been pushing separately to scrap the law entirely.

In written testimony released on Wednesday, Facebook argued that Section 230 should be redone to allow companies immunity from liability for what users put on their platforms only if they follow best practices for removing damaging material.

Pichai and Dorsey said in the hearing they were open to some of the changes in Facebook's proposal. Pichai said there were some "good proposals." Dorsey endorsed some of the suggestions from Zuckerberg but said it would be difficult to distinguish between small and large services.

Republicans on the panel also criticized the tech giants for what they see as efforts to stifle conservative voices.

Trump was banned by Twitter over inciting violence around Jan. 6, while Facebook has asked its independent oversight board to rule on whether to bar him permanently. He is still suspended from YouTube.

At one point in the hearing, Dorsey appeared to grow frustrated and tweeted "?" with a poll asking Twitter users to vote "yes" or "no." There were more than 40,000 votes cast in about 30 minutes.

Top News

Facebook / google / Google Inc / Twitter Inc / Twitter / US lawmakers / Big Tech / US Tech Giants / Tech giants

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • CA orders police, BGB, Ansar to complete election preparation by December
    CA orders police, BGB, Ansar to complete election preparation by December
  • File photo of Election Commission building in Agargaon. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    EC bars political parties from using 'Shapla' as electoral symbol
  • Graphics: TBS
    Central bank makes startup loans available at 4% interest for Bangladeshis aged 21

MOST VIEWED

  • File Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
    Bangladesh faces economic impact as US introduces 35% tariff on exports
  • None saw it coming: What went wrong in Bangladesh’s tariff negotiation with US 
    None saw it coming: What went wrong in Bangladesh’s tariff negotiation with US 
  • Clashes took place between police and protesters in Sylhet on 2 August. Photo: TBS
    Hasina authorised deadly crackdown on protesters during 2024 July uprising, BBC verifies leaked audio
  • Bangladesh Bank Governor Ahsan H Mansur. TBS Sketch
    BB governor asks banks to create forced loans for unpaid import LCs
  • Representational image. Photo: TBS
    35% US tariff to be disastrous for Bangladesh's exports, say economists and exporters
  • Trump's 35% tariff zaps Bangladesh's $8.4 billion export lifeline
    Trump's 35% tariff zaps Bangladesh's $8.4 billion export lifeline

Related News

  • Google's AI Overviews hit by EU antitrust complaint from independent publishers
  • AL man arrested in Ctg for ‘threatening to kill CA, CJ, army chief’ in Facebook video
  • Google Pay launched in Bangladesh for the first time
  • All new Facebook videos to be classified as Reels soon: Meta
  • Google offers buyouts to more workers amid AI-driven tech upheaval and antitrust uncertainty

Features

Women are forced to fish in saline waters every day, risking their health to provide for their families. Photo: TBS

How Mongla’s women are bearing the brunt of rising salinity

3h | Panorama
Dr Mostafa Abid Khan. Sketch: TBS

Actual impact will depend on how US retailers respond: Mostafa Abid Khan

1d | Economy
Thousands gather to form Bangla Blockade in mass show of support. Photo: TBS

Rebranding rebellion: Why ‘Bangla Blockade’ struck a chord

2d | Panorama
The Mitsubishi Xpander is built with families in mind, ready to handle the daily carpool, grocery runs, weekend getaways, and everything in between. PHOTO: Akif Hamid

Now made-in-Bangladesh: 2025 Mitsubishi Xpander

2d | Wheels

More Videos from TBS

Leaked audio: Jinping thought Trump was crazy

Leaked audio: Jinping thought Trump was crazy

Now | TBS World
What can be done to counter the impact of US tariffs?

What can be done to counter the impact of US tariffs?

1h | Podcast
Elections can be held before Ramadan if preparations are complete: Press Secretary

Elections can be held before Ramadan if preparations are complete: Press Secretary

1h | TBS Today
US signals tougher action if Gaza ceasefire talks fail

US signals tougher action if Gaza ceasefire talks fail

30m | TBS World
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net