\nThe tensions between big tech firms and the government have run high for quite some time now. Things have escalated even further in the run-up to the election.
\nMost recently Twitter and Facebook CEOs received subpoenas over their actions to take down a New York Times article. This separate government hearing could cause even more rifts between big tech firms and the government going forwards.
\nFacebook and other social media firms have also become more active in trying to curb the spread of misinformation. In the run-up to the election, Mark Zuckerberg’s company has taken down a network of accounts.
\nIn this most recent hearing, big tech CEOs faced over three and a half hours of questioning. Many politicians raised concerns that the „sweeping immunity” companies’ receive from legal action leads to bad behavior.
\nBig tech CEOs face questions from Senate
\nCurrently, firms cannot be sued over what their users post online or what content the company decides to take down. Senators expressed concerns that this acted as a bit of a loophole for big tech firms.
\nProf Fiona Scott Morton, of Yale University, explained the issue. She said section 230 „allows digital businesses to let users post things but then not be responsible for the consequences”.
\nInitially, Mark Zuckerberg was unable to connect to the meeting to testimony. This caused some amusement amongst those in attendance.
\nHowever, when he did give testimony the Facebook CEO said he supported changes to the rule „to make sure it’s working”.
\nOriginally, section 230 aimed to prevent internet providers from facing legal action. However, now it has turned into a legal loophole for social media giants.
\nPoliticians claim it is now outdated and needs to change. Democrats take issue with the spread of misinformation on the internet. As they believe social media companies should have a responsibility to control it.
\nRepublicans, however, are more concerned with the moderation powers of section 230. They believe it offers too much control to social media companies and should be reigned in.
\nBig tech CEOs defend Section 230
\nTwitter boss, Jack Dorsey, however, defended the legal loophole. He said it „is the most important law protecting internet speech.” However, he was questioned about Twitter’s implementation of its removal and labelling of posts.
\nZuckerberg also pointed out that the law „helped create the internet as we know it” and aids freedom of expression. Google CEOs, Sundar Pichai told the Senate hearing that „our ability to provide access to a wide range of information is only possible because of existing legal frameworks like section 230.”
\nIt appears that section 230 is under significant threat from both sides of the political divide for different reasons. As a result, making changes could be difficult although both sides want to see something change. One can see this issue rumbling on for some time to come.
\nThe post Senate Questions Facebook, Twitter And Google CEOs In Hearing appeared first on Android Headlines.
\n
![](\"https:\/\/plus.maciejpiasecki.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Google-Logo-2018-AM-AH-2-AH-2019-600x340-1.jpg\"){kind=logo}
\nSource: ndroidheadlines.com <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"