Democratic senator tells tech executives being 'different from Facebook' isn't enough: 'That bar is in the gutter'
Executives from TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat faced questions during a congressional hearing Tuesday about how they're protecting children online, and one lawmaker declared it's not enough to just be different from Facebook.
Members of a Senate Commerce Committee panel questioned executives from the social media platforms Tuesday, as Facebook receives growing scrutiny over a whistleblower's allegations that it has put profits over users' safety. At the start of the hearing, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) argued that TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat similarly prioritize keeping users, especially children, on its apps longer.
"I understand from your testimony that your defense is, 'We're not Facebook. We're different, and we're different from each other,'" Blumenthal said. "Being different from Facebook is not a defense. That bar is in the gutter. ... What we want is not a race to the bottom, but really a race to the top."
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.
The tech executives defended the steps they've taken to protect children. But lawmakers had tough questions for them, with Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) asking TikTok about reporting that its "algorithm can push young users into content glorifying eating disorders, drugs, violence," The Wall Street Journal reports. TikTok's Michael Beckerman said the company has "made a number of improvements to the way that people have control of the algorithm and have age-appropriate content on TikTok."
At one point, Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) also slammed an executive from Snap for not saying whether the company would support legislation pertaining to children's online privacy. "This is just what drives us crazy," he said. "We want to talk, we want to talk, we want to talk.' This bill's been out there for years, and you still don't have a view on it."
Blumenthal argued there must be "stronger rules to protect children online," and in light of the recent Facebook whistleblower testimony, he vowed there "will be accountability" because "this time is different."
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
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.
-
'A direct, protracted war with Israel is not something Iran is equipped to fight'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 17, 2024
Cartoons Wednesday's cartoons - political anxiety, jury sorting hat, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Arid Gulf states hit with year's worth of rain
Speed Read The historic flooding in Dubai is tied to climate change
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
-
Visa and Mastercard agree to lower swipe fees
Speed Read The companies will cap the fees they charge businesses when customers use their credit cards
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Reddit IPO values social media site at $6.4 billion
Speed Read The company makes its public debut on the New York Stock Exchange
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Housing costs: the root of US economic malaise?
speed read Many voters are troubled by the housing affordability crisis
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Feds cap credit card late fees at $8
speed read The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finalized a rule to save households an estimated $10 billion a year
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published