Lawmakers plan to 'air their grievances' about Facebook in meetings with Mark Zuckerberg
For Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and his critics in Congress, Festivus may be coming early this year.
The Facebook boss is on Capitol Hill this week to meet with lawmakers, which comes as Reuters writes the company is seeking to improve its reputation in Washington, D.C. The aim, Facebook says, is to discuss "future internet regulation," although Politico reports that "officials set to huddle with the Facebook chief say they also plan to air their grievances about the company's conduct."
Among the lawmakers Zuckerberg is set to meet with is Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who in the past has been highly critical of Facebook amid its numerous privacy scandals and has voiced concerns about its plans to launch a cryptocurrency, Libra. Schatz told Politico he'll bring the planned cryptocurrency up with Zuckerberg, saying, "I just don't like the Libra idea."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Zuckerberg, Axios reports, is also set to meet with Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), another Facebook critic who said in an interview with The Verge earlier this year, "I think Facebook is an extremely creepy company. I don't know if they've done a good job with anything. I'm not a very big fan." The Hill's Emily Birnbaum reports Zuckerberg and Hawley will meet Thursday, and Reuters reports Zuckerberg will also meet with members of the Trump administration. He already dined with some lawmakers, including Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), on Wednesday evening.
This is Zuckerberg's first time back on Capitol Hill since he testified before Congress about the Cambridge Analytica scandal in April 2018. Needless to say, a lot has happened since then, including the Federal Trade Commission launching an antitrust probe of Facebook, as well as the FTC fining Facebook $5 billion for its privacy practices. Unlike last time, none of Zuckerberg's events this week will be public.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
What's next for electric vehicles under Trump?
Today's Big Question And what does that mean for Tesla's Elon Musk?
By Joel Mathis, The Week US Published
-
These 7 touring theater productions are ready to carry you through the holidays and into the new year
The Week Recommends Your favorite movie-turned-musical might be coming to a city near you
By Scott Hocker, The Week US Published
-
Dark energy data suggest Einstein was right (luckily)
Speed Read Albert Einstein's 1915 theory of general relativity has been proven correct, according to data collected by the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists approve contract, end strike
Speed Read The company's largest union approved the new contract offer, ending a seven-week strike
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Boeing machinists reject deal, continue strike
Speed Read The rejection came the same day Boeing reported a $6.2 billion quarterly loss
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ports reopen after dockworkers halt strike
Speed Read The 36 ports that closed this week, from Maine to Texas, will start reopening today
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Empty-nest boomers aren't selling their big homes
Speed Read Most Americans 60 and older do not intend to move, according to a recent survey
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Brazil accuses Musk of 'disinformation campaign'
Speed Read A Brazilian Supreme Court judge has opened an inquiry into Elon Musk and X
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney board fends off Peltz infiltration bid
Speed Read Disney CEO Bob Iger has defeated activist investor Nelson Peltz in a contentious proxy battle
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Disney and DeSantis reach detente
Speed Read The Florida governor and Disney settle a yearslong litigation over control of the tourism district
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published