FACEBOOK UNDER FIRE

Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee are pressing Facebook over its role in allowing the spread of misinformation, as well as seeking details on the tech giant’s internal process to weigh and implement changes designed at remedying polarization on the platform.

“The Committee is deeply concerned about dangerous and divisive rhetoric thriving on Facebook’s platform and is considering legislation to address these issues. From conspiracy theorists peddling false information to extremist voices urging and organizing violence, Facebook has become a breeding ground for polarization and discord,” the Democrats wrote in a letter.

The Congress members are seeking responses from Facebook about its internal studies on divisiveness, and its vetting process for considering recommendations to combat polarization, due just days before Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to testify before the committee at a hearing about the spread of misinformation.