Brett Guthrie (R-KY) speaks at an event at U.S. Bank in Glasgow on Sept. 1, 2020.
(BRENNAN CRAIN/WCLU NEWS)
WASHINGTON — Rep. Brett Guthrie is seeking information from constituents regarding their experiences with major social media platforms like Google, Facebook and Twitter ahead of a joint hearing Thursday.
A link was designed by Guthrie’s office to hear from constituents. Click here to send an email to Guthrie.
Members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Communications and Technology subcommittee and Consumer Protection and Commerce subcommittee will host a remote joint hearing regarding the “misinformation and disinformation plaguing online platforms.”
Google CEO Sundar Pichai, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey will testify, according to the Energy and Commerce committee’s website.
“People are getting frustrated with the tech companies having certain algorithms that seem to kick out certain thought and allowing others to move forward,” Guthrie said.
Guthrie is a member of the Energy and Commerce committee.
“Whether it be falsehoods about the COVID-19 vaccine or debunked claims of election fraud these online platforms have allowed misinformation to spread, intensifying national crises with real-life, grim consequences for public health and safety,” the chairs of the committees said.
The representative for Kentucky’s second congressional district said the hearing won’t be the first time lawmakers have spoken to those CEOs. Guthrie hopes to personify some of the issues with input from Kentuckians within his district.
“We’re very anxious to have people share stories if they’ve been banned,” Guthrie said.
Submit concerns to this email: KY02.Bigtech@mail.house.gov.
Many people find themselves banned or placed on a social media probation after they share content which violates “community standards.” The representative expressed concern with some of the algorithms and methods used to censor certain viewpoints.
“The comment is just so amazing when you think about it,” Guthrie said. “The ayatollah of Iran can tweet, but President Trump can’t.”
The hearing is scheduled Thursday, March 25.