Here, Mark Zuckerberg apologizes for the suffering his company causes

The CEOs of technology companies such as Meta (Facebook), TikTok, Discord and Snapchat have been questioned by US senators about the dangers to children and teenagers on social media platforms.

The US Senate Judiciary Committee convened corporate bosses on Wednesday for a meeting entitled ‘Internet Giants and the Crisis of Child Sexual Exploitation on the Internet’.

How did the head of the Facebook group do?

“Mr. Zuckerberg, you and the other companies (…) have blood on your hands,” Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said during the hearing towards Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg.

Victims who have suffered harm as a result of using the services and their families attended the hearing in the US Senate.

“The families and friends are behind you. Would you like to apologize?” Republican Senator Josh Hawley asked Zuckerberg.

Zuckerberg is being “grilled” here:

Zuckerberg then rose from his seat and addressed the audience directly. ‘I apologize for everything you’ve been through. It’s terrible. No one should have to suffer what your families have endured.” That’s why his company is investing heavily to ensure something like this doesn’t happen again.

Where is the problem?

Social media company bosses have been accused of not doing enough to combat the dangers children face when using online platforms, such as sexual predators or linked to suicide.

Zuckerberg said in his opening statement: “We are working hard to provide parents and teens with support and controls to reduce potential harm.” Youth safety has been a challenge since “the dawn of the internet,” he added. Criminals are constantly developing their strategies.

Why do Instagram and Co. the pedo problem not under control?

Because those responsible in company management are not willing to invest much more money in user safety and youth protection on their social media platforms.

Meta announced last Thursday that it would strengthen the protection of minors in its online networks. The Meta Group includes Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Critics have been accusing Meta for years of making it too easy for pedophile users in particular to use its online networks and messenger services to distribute child pornographic material.

And TikTok? The head of the Chinese social media platform, Shou Zi Chew, announced during the hearing that he wanted to invest more than two billion dollars in ‘trust and security’.

Also the Social media platform X (Twitter) announced a special agency to combat content about child sexual exploitation and other violations of the platform’s rules.

X CEO Linda Yaccarino said Wednesday that her company believes “that freedom of speech and safety can and should coexist.”

However, the American company under Elon Musk had previously dismissed a large number of employees who were responsible for, among other things, user safety.

Sources

(t-online/dsc)