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January 6 panel targets social media firms with subpoenas after ‘insufficient responses’ to voluntary request
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The January 6th panel aimed at submitting subpoenas to social media companies for “insufficient responses” to a voluntary request
through Adam | January 13, 2022
Subpoenas have been issued to Meta, Alphabet, and Google, as well as Reddit, Reddit, Reddit, Youtube, and Twitter.
In a statement, Democratic MP Bennie THOMPSON (Chair of the Special Committee) said: “Two important questions for the Special Committee are how misinformation was spread and violent extremism contributed to the violent attacks on our democracy and what steps have been taken by social media companies to prevent them from becoming breeding grounds, to radicalize people into violence. “
He continued, “It is disappointing that we still do not have the necessary documents and information to answer these fundamental questions.”
Alphabet is informed by the committee that it has “significant undisclosed data that is critical to its investigation” regarding the way it moderated its content and the impact of these policies on postings on the platform on January 6th.
Thompson confirmed in the letter that Alphabet and the committee had additional commitments since first contacting the panel in August. However, Alphabet had shown no willingness or ability to submit requested documents “voluntarily and quickly”.
Thompson claims Alphabet has still not explained the process of liquidating former President Donald Trump’s YouTube account. He also states that in the past, before the January 6 deadline, the platform may have done something to Trump’s account.
According to the letter, Alphabet also did not provide any documents related to YouTube’s policy decisions that may have influenced the execution, planning and coordination of the January 6 attacks. The panel raises specific questions about YouTube’s election guidelines for moderating misinformation.
Meta reports that Facebook’s parent company has not yet provided key documents and / or responded to specific inquiries.
Thompson points out in Thompson’s letter that Meta has still not explained to this committee why Facebook disbanded the Civic Integrity group after the November 2020 election.
Thompson stated in a letter to Meta: “Despite multiple and precise requests for documents on these matters”
It should also be noted that Meta has failed to report any critical internal or external analysis it has received regarding misinformation, misinformation and misinformation regarding the 2020 elections, efforts to challenge or overturn the elections and the use of meta conducted by domestic violent extremists for the 2020 elections.
Meta “Despite multiple and precise follow-up inquiries on September 28 and October 29, 2021, Meta refused to agree to a date for the manufacture or identification of these materials,” adds the committee.
In August, the committee asked 15 social media platforms to provide information to the committee. This also included those who were summoned on Thursday. They wanted to know how they could have misinformed and tried to overturn the choice. A 14-step request from the panel looked for a wide range of information and documents.
Thompson wrote to the companies this summer, “The Select Committee is asking you to bring these documents to your custody or possession.”
The panel specifically asked for data and analysis on local violent extremists involved in efforts to defeat the 2020 elections, particularly after the January 6 attack. They asked for information to be sent within two weeks.
The select committee requested a paper trail and also asked these social media companies for information on how they were trying to correct misinformation on their platforms. Information was also asked about where there might be holes.
In the hours following the attack on the US Capitol, Twitter and Facebook blocked the accounts of prominent supporters of electoral conspiracy theories. Many of the people in the mob were white racists as well as QAnon conspiracy theorists. They also had members of right-wing organizations like the Proud Boys.
However, there have been many inquiries about the ability of social media platforms to do more since the attack to prevent misinformation from spreading on their websites.
The story was updated with new developments on Thursday.
