The testimony of Frances Haugen , a former Facebook employee, is likely to increase pressure on U.S. lawmakers to take concrete legislative action against the untouchable tech company, after years of hearings and discussions about Facebook's growing power.
At a hearing Tuesday, Haugen shared internal Facebook reports with Congress and argued that the company puts "astronomical profits ahead of people," harms children, and is destabilizing democracies.
After years of debating the role of technology companies in the last US election, lawmakers seem to have agreed on the need for new regulations that would change the way Facebook influences users and amplifies content.
"Frances Haugen's testimony seems to mark a rare moment of bipartisan consensus that this situation is no longer acceptable," said Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a non-profit organization that fights hate speech and misinformation.
During the session, members of Congress posed questions to Haugen about what can and should be done concretely to address the damage caused by Facebook.
With 15 years in the industry as an expert in algorithms and design, Haugen offered a number of suggestions - including changing news sources to be chronological rather than algorithmic, appointing a government body to oversee technology and calling for more transparency in research. internal.
"Recent findings on the effects of Facebook on the mental health of children are truly disturbing," said Sen. Roger Wickeri of Mississippi. "They simply show how urgent it is for Congress to act against powerful technology companies, on behalf of children and the general public."
However, activists who have called on Congress to pass laws protecting children from the negative effects of social media are skeptical of such promises.
Pas seancës, Facebook kundërshtoi Haugen. Por kompania tha se ishte dakord që të kishte më shumë rregullore.
“Ne jemi dakord për një gjë. Ka ardhur koha koha për të filluar krijimin e rregullave standarde për internetin,” tha Lena Pietsch, drejtorja e komunikimit të politikave në Facebook, në një deklaratë. "Kanë kaluar 25 vjet që kur rregullat e internetit janë përditësuar dhe në vend që të presim që industria të marrë vendime shoqërore që i përkasin ligjvënësve, është koha që Kongresi të veprojë."
"Here's my message to Mark Zuckerberg: Your time to invade our privacy, promote toxic content, and track children and teens is over," said Markey, who authored a bill called the Children Act. "Congress will take action. We will not allow your company to harm our children and our families and our democracy."
Sources: Reuters, Guardian
