YouTube, Snap and TikTok admins take turn to reply


Lawmakers will question YouTube, Snap and TikTok executives on Tuesday morning over growing concerns that their platforms could harm children and teens.

A subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee said the hearing will examine “how tech companies treat young audiences, including how algorithms and product design choices can increase harm, addiction, and privacy intrusions.” Scheduled to start at 10:00

TikTok may face questions about how its algorithm is driving its billions of users to sex, drugs, and violent content. YouTube may face legislators’ concerns over its content policies, including a September decision to ban vaccine misinformation. And Snap has answered questions in recent months. about the drug trade on its own platform.

Companies send executives with political experience to answer questions. TikTok will be represented by Michael Beckerman, head of public policy for the Americas, who leads a top lobbying group for internet companies. Leslie Miller, YouTube’s vice president of government affairs and public policy and a former Democratic political aide, will appear on behalf of the streaming site. Snap sends Jennifer Stout, vice president of global public policy and former assistant general secretary of John Kerry.

Two weeks ago, Frances Haugen, old Facebook The product manager, who leaked thousands of pages of internal documents, told the committee how he knew the company’s products were making young people feel worse. The decision to invite executives from other companies reflects how MPs’ concerns have gone beyond Facebook and the photography app Instagram to include other major platforms on the web.

“The bombings of Facebook and Instagram – their toxic effects on young users and the lack of accuracy or transparency – raise serious concerns about Big Tech’s approach to all children,” Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal said in a statement.



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