Social media companies, including Twitter, have denied the allegations of bias, though they say they have blocked or removed users who violate community standards policies. | Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesThe White House is circulating drafts of a proposed executive order that would address allegations of anti-conservative bias by social media companies, according to a White House official and two other people familiar with the matter — a month after President Donald Trump pledged to explore “all regulatory and legislative solutions” on the issue.None of the three would describe the contents...…Social media companies, including Twitter, have denied the allegations of bias, though they say they have blocked or removed users who violate community standards policies. | Justin Sullivan/Getty ImagesThe White House is circulating drafts of a proposed executive order that would address allegations of anti-conservative bias by social media companies, according to a White House official and two other people familiar with the matter — a month after President Donald Trump pledged to explore “all regulatory and legislative solutions” on the issue.None of the three would describe the contents...WW…

Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosTech companies bracing for increased scrutiny in Washington are leaning on their last friends in town — the libertarians.Why it matters: Progressive liberals and populist conservatives alike are ramping up their attacks on the tech industry. So the once-beloved darlings of Silicon Valley are scrambling to gain traction on Capitol Hill with the dwindling ranks of Republicans who still believe in laissez-faire, even for the tech industry.What's happening: Major tech companies have added prominent conservatives from the free-market world to their D.C. rosters in...…Illustration: Aïda Amer/AxiosTech companies bracing for increased scrutiny in Washington are leaning on their last friends in town — the libertarians.Why it matters: Progressive liberals and populist conservatives alike are ramping up their attacks on the tech industry. So the once-beloved darlings of Silicon Valley are scrambling to gain traction on Capitol Hill with the dwindling ranks of Republicans who still believe in laissez-faire, even for the tech industry.What's happening: Major tech companies have added prominent conservatives from the free-market world to their D.C. rosters in...WW…

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosThe CEOs of Apple, Google, Amazon and Facebook have agreed to testify at a hearing at the end of the month as part of a congressional antitrust investigation into the power of online platforms.Why it matters: The high-profile hearing will let lawmakers directly question company leaders before releasing a report that will detail the findings of their year-long probe and possibly recommend changes to antitrust law.Details: The agreement to appear before the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee was first reported by A career Justice Department official named...…Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosThe CEOs of Apple, Google, Amazon and Facebook have agreed to testify at a hearing at the end of the month as part of a congressional antitrust investigation into the power of online platforms.Why it matters: The high-profile hearing will let lawmakers directly question company leaders before releasing a report that will detail the findings of their year-long probe and possibly recommend changes to antitrust law.Details: The agreement to appear before the House Judiciary antitrust subcommittee was first reported by A career Justice Department official named...WW…

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...…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...WW…

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosA bipartisan group of lawmakers is circulating a draft letter to be sent to the White House requesting additional relief targeted specifically at local newsrooms, according to a draft of the letter obtained by Axios.Why it matters: Local news was already facing in the U.S., but the coronavirus and a pending recession have pushed the industry into near collapse at a time when people need access to news and information more than ever.Driving the news: Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Bill Flores (R-Texas), Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Marc Veasey (D-Texas) are...…Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosA bipartisan group of lawmakers is circulating a draft letter to be sent to the White House requesting additional relief targeted specifically at local newsrooms, according to a draft of the letter obtained by Axios.Why it matters: Local news was already facing in the U.S., but the coronavirus and a pending recession have pushed the industry into near collapse at a time when people need access to news and information more than ever.Driving the news: Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Bill Flores (R-Texas), Fred Upton (R-Mich.) and Marc Veasey (D-Texas) are...WW…

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Photo: Alex Wroblewski/Getty ImagesSen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), in a Friday to the Justice and Treasury departments, is calling for a criminal investigation of Twitter over allegations the company is violating U.S. sanctions against Iran.Why it matters: Twitter is already under fire from President Trump for adding fact checks and a warning label, respectively, to misleading and incendiary tweets he made in recent days. Cruz's letter adds another dimension to the tech company's woes in Washington.Details: Twitter allows Iranian leaders to maintain accounts on its...…Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas). Photo: Alex Wroblewski/Getty ImagesSen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), in a Friday to the Justice and Treasury departments, is calling for a criminal investigation of Twitter over allegations the company is violating U.S. sanctions against Iran.Why it matters: Twitter is already under fire from President Trump for adding fact checks and a warning label, respectively, to misleading and incendiary tweets he made in recent days. Cruz's letter adds another dimension to the tech company's woes in Washington.Details: Twitter allows Iranian leaders to maintain accounts on its...WW…

Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosHouse antitrust investigators are pressing Apple, Alphabet, Amazon and Facebook to say by Sunday whether their CEOs will testify as part of the Judiciary Committee's tech competition probe, Axios has learned.The big picture: The public grilling of the heads of the biggest tech companies would come as scrutiny over the power of their platforms .Details: The Judiciary Committee this week sent the companies letters, seen by Axios, seeking documents and answers to the CEO testimony question. The panel wants to hold a hearing with the executives next...…Illustration: Sarah Grillo/AxiosHouse antitrust investigators are pressing Apple, Alphabet, Amazon and Facebook to say by Sunday whether their CEOs will testify as part of the Judiciary Committee's tech competition probe, Axios has learned.The big picture: The public grilling of the heads of the biggest tech companies would come as scrutiny over the power of their platforms .Details: The Judiciary Committee this week sent the companies letters, seen by Axios, seeking documents and answers to the CEO testimony question. The panel wants to hold a hearing with the executives next...WW…