Sen. Blumenthal asks Zuckerberg to testify about Instagram’s influence on children

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn., known as on Fb CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify earlier than his panel concerning the influence of the corporate’s merchandise on children in a letter despatched Wednesday.

He additionally left open the choice for Zuckerberg to ship Instagram chief Adam Mosseri as a substitute.

The request comes after a former Fb employee-turned-whistleblower leaked inside analysis paperwork to The Wall Road Journal and the Senate that exposed Fb executives had been conscious of the damaging results their merchandise may have on some younger customers’ psychological well being.

That whistleblower, Frances Haugen, testified earlier than the Senate Commerce subcommittee on client safety earlier this month, sparking broad criticism towards Fb from lawmakers throughout the political spectrum.

Blumenthal stated in a letter to Zuckerberg that it’s “pressing and crucial” for him or Mosseri to testify so as “to set the document straight and supply members of Congress and oldsters with a plan on how you’ll defend our youngsters.”

Blumenthal accused Fb of being evasive with him, his colleagues, and the general public with regard to details about teen psychological well being and platform habit.

“After I sought particular details about Instagram and teenagers in an August letter, Fb offered clearly evasive and deceptive solutions which have now been instantly disputed by Ms. Haugen,” Blumenthal wrote.

He additionally accused Antigone Davis, Fb’s world head of security who testified the week earlier than Haugen’s Senate look, of showing to offer “false or inaccurate testimony to me concerning makes an attempt to internally conceal its analysis.”

Davis testified that her understanding was that Fb hasn’t shut down inside entry to paperwork and that she would comply with up together with his workplace if that modified. However Blumenthal pointed to a New York Instances article printed after her testimony saying that Fb had executed simply that within the weeks following her statements.

A Fb spokesperson confirmed receipt of the letter however didn’t present any additional response.

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