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The members of US Congress have been critical of social media for several years now on issues like privacy, fake news, bullying and the effect on the health of the youth. Still, they hardly have done anything either to curtail or regulate the online platforms. But that could change thanks to the testimony by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen before members of the Senate on Tuesday. (https://www.npr.org/2021/10/05/1043377310/facebook-whistleblower-frances-haugen-congress)
After the testimony by Haugen, a former product manager at Facebook, before the Senate Commerce subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are seeking fast action to regulate Facebook. The Congress will be going beyond the testimony was evident when Sen. Amy Klobuchar said during the hearing. “I think the time has come for action. And I think you are the catalyst for that action.” (https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/05/congress-demands-mark-zuckerberg-answer-questions-at-haugen-hearing.html)
That the patience of Congress is wearing thin was also evident late last month when during the Facebook testimony before the same committee, the lawmakers made it clear that Facebook should desist from creating an Instagram app for kids that the tech giant was contemplating.
Some even drew parallels with the tobacco hearings decades ago that led to strong action against the industry. “Facebook is like big tobacco, enticing young kids with that first cigarette,” said Senator Ed Markey. “Congress will be taking action. We will not allow your company to harm our children and our families and our democracy, any longer,” Markey added. (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/oct/05/facebook-whistleblower-hearing-key-takeaways-france-haugen)
Besides the privacy laws, the Congress may be amending Section 230, the internet law that protects tech companies from being sued for what is considered illegal content from the users. But amending that is a minefield as experts say that smaller companies could suffer the consequences when it comes to content moderation. But members of Congress may have to find a way to rein in companies like Facebook.
Read more:
Why this Facebook scandal is different:
https://www.vox.com/recode/2021/10/3/22707940/frances-haugen-facebook-whistleblower-60-minutes-teen-girls-instagram
Is this Zuckerberg’s moment of reckoning?
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2021/10/06/facebook-whistleblower-mark-zuckerberg-congress-legislation-reform/6017553001/