Lawmakers look at social media’s position in violent extremism

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Lawmakers say there is growing concern that social media has become a breeding ground for violent extremism.

They held another hearing on Thursday to discuss possible regulations to hold Big Tech accountable. The Senate Homeland Security hearing comes after a whistleblower reveals new details about the inner workings of Facebook announced on Thursday that it is renaming itself to Meta.

Legislators on both sides said the new data would only add to the need for stronger federal oversight.

A panel of experts called on Congress to stop the spread of violent extremism on social media.

“How many lives will be lost before big tech puts people above profit?” Said David Sifry of the Anti-Defamation League. “Without accountability, without regulation … extremists find a haven to reach, recruit and radicalize.”

Proponents of regulation say Congress must require social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube to be transparent about how they disseminate information.

“It is important that we act now to set sensible rules,” said Karen Kornbluh of the Digital Innovation and Democracy Initiative. “We shouldn’t need a whistleblower to access data.”

Sen. Gary Peters, D-Mich., Says he is committed to increasing regulations and removing legal shields that protect Big Tech from responsibility for the content they promote.

“Americans deserve answers,” said Peters. “In attack on attack, there is evidence that social media platforms have played a role in exposing people to increasingly extreme content.”

Peters says mass shootings like the one in El Paso or the January attack on the Capitol are a direct result of Big Tech’s inaction.

Senator Rob Portman, R-Ohio, agrees that changes are needed.

“This exploitation of social media is of course not new,” said Portman.

However, he warns that Congress should not go overboard, saying that big tech accountability should be “on an issue that balances protecting the first change”.

Senator Ron Johnson, R-Wis., Says he is concerned that the regulations are unfairly censoring conservatives.

“Who’s going to be the unbiased referee of the truth, I don’t think it exists,” said Johnson.

Despite this split, Peters and Portman say they are keen to find a bipartisan solution and promise further hearings to examine the role of social media platforms in violent extremism.

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