Name: Facebook, Google, Twitter CEOs face House grilling
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Facebook, Google, Twitter CEOs face House grilling

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Photo: Greg Nash-Pool/Getty ImagesLawmakers from both parties attacked online platforms for causing offline harm to children, public health and democracy at a House hearing with the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter testifying virtually on Thursday.The big picture: The hearing is focused on social media's role in spreading misinformation and extremism, with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and false information about the pandemic top of mind for Democratic lawmakers who have pledged to pursue legislation.Where it stands: Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), chair of the House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, said misinformation about the pandemic and the 2020 election led to lives being lost.Meanwhile, Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis (R-Fla.), the ranking Republican on the consumer protection subcommittee, said he's heard from constituents about online bullying and said the committee can come together to force changes on the platforms.Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.), the ranking Republican on the House Energy &amp; Commerce Committee, told the CEOs their platforms are her "biggest fear" as a parent.Yes, but: Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.) focused on familiar Republican complaints about bias against conservatives, pressing Dorsey about of the New York Post and its story about Hunter Biden.What they're saying: In his opening remarks, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg defended the company's actions in handling election misinformation, and the pointed to the role former President Trump played in the Capitol attack.Context: In , Zuckerberg suggested legislation could require online platforms to have systems in place for identifying and removing unlawful content in order to receive key liability protection.As lawmakers prepare for a hearing Thursday with the CEOs of Twitter, Facebook and Google, the leader of the House Energy &amp; Commerce Committee tells Axios that the question isn't whether to regulate tech companies, but how.Why it matters: Democrats, empowered in Congress and enraged by misinformation over vaccines and the election, agree it's time to legislate on tech policy, including updating the key law that shields them from liability from user-generated content. The path to passing a bill is a little more clear, and there have been signs that the largest tech platforms are ready to embrace some changes. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg will tell lawmakers his plan for "thoughtful reform" of a key tech liability shield rests on requiring best practices for treating illegal content online.Why it matters: Tech giants are starting to embrace changes to the foundational law that shields platforms from liability from content users post as lawmakers from both parties threaten it.The House on Thursday is scheduled to hold its first Big Tech hearing of 2021, with witnesses to include Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google CEO Sundar Pichai and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey.Axios Re:Cap goes deeper with Rep. Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.), who represents part of Silicon Valley, about what she hopes to learn and why she's more interested in algorithms than moderators.

Photo: Greg Nash-Pool/Getty ImagesLawmakers from both parties attacked online platforms for causing offline harm to children, public health and democracy at a House hearing with the CEOs of Facebook, Google and Twitter testifying virtually on Thursday.The big picture: The hearing is focused on social media's role in spreading misinformation and extremism, with the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol and false information about the pandemic top of mind for Democratic lawmakers who have pledged to pursue legislation.Where it stands: Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), chair of the House...

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Tech policy reporter @Axios. Pittsburgh native. formerly: @POLITICO, @theinformation, @bbcnews. ashley.gold@axios.com

Ashley Gold

Margaret Harding McGill

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Facebook, Google, Twitter CEOs face House grilling

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