U.S. lawmakers win apology from Zuckerberg in tech grilling
The Hindu
Mark Zuckerberg apologizes to Congress for online dangers to children as tech giants face political anger and scrutiny.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg gave a public apology in U.S. Congress on February 1 as hostile lawmakers grilled tech chiefs over the dangers that children face on social media platforms.
The executives convened by the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee were put to task in a session titled "Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis."
Tech giants are confronting a torrent of political anger for not doing enough to thwart online dangers for children, including from sexual predators and teen suicide.
During one round of heated questioning, Mr. Zuckerberg was made to stand up and apologize to the families of victims who had packed the committee room.
"I'm sorry for everything you have all been through," he said. "No one should go through the things that your families have suffered."
Also testifying to senators were X's Linda Yaccarino, Shou Zi Chew of TikTok, Evan Spiegel of Snap and Discord's Jason Citron.
"Mister Zuckerberg, you and the companies before us, I know you don't mean it to be so, but you have blood on your hands. You have a product that's killing people," said Senator Lindsey Graham.