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Congress demands Mark Zuckerberg answer questions at Haugen hearing

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Mark Zuckerberg, the Facebook CEO and cofounder, testifies in front of the House Financial Services Committee at the Rayburn House Office Building, Capitol Hill, October 23, 2019, in Washington, DC.

Chip Somodevilla | Getty Images

The senators were able to absorb Tuesday’s testimony. FacebookThe whistleblower leaked company internal research to journalists and demanded that the individual in charge be contacted.

Frances Haugen (ex-product manager, Facebook) appeared before a Senate subcommittee Tuesday. said the companySeveral times, profits were prioritized over safety. Haugen stated that she was compelled by Facebook to speak out because almost no one else knows the Facebook insiders.

One person in the company knows more than everyone else: CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Zuckerberg wrote a statement on Sunday as “60 Minutes”, which was airing Haugen’s first interview with the press as an unmasked whistleblower. videoThis picture showed Chan sailing with his wife, Priscilla Chan.

Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), chair of Tuesday’s subcommittee hearing, stated that Mark Zuckerberg should be taking a look in the mirror and seeing himself today. “But, instead of taking responsibility and showing leadership,” he said. No apologies or admissions. Mark Zuckerberg: You must appear before the committee.

Zuckerberg is not being forthcoming since last month’s Wall Street Journal stories, which were based upon documents from Haugen. These stories, along with the company’s research have shown that there are many troubling aspects to Facebook’s apps. Instagram is harmful to teens’ mental health

Zuckerberg was the closest Zuckerberg got to getting on top of it. on Sept. 21, after a New York Times storyFacebook’s current PR strategy was to distance itself from scandals, and not apologize. The Times inaccurately reported that Zuckerberg posted an image of himself on an electric surfboard.

Zuckerberg was offended and responded with sarcasm.

Frances Haugen, an ex-FB employee, is a witness during the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Data Security hearing entitled Children’s Online Safety – Facebook Whistleblower, held in Russell Building on Tuesday, Oct 5, 2021.

CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | CQ-Roll Call, Inc. | Getty Images

Zuckerberg wroteFacebook

His reference was to viral video that went viral on July 4. him riding a hydrofoilWhile holding an American flag. Senators also said that Zuckerberg was missing the moment, citing the video of the weekend’s sailing.

Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota, D-Minn. said that Mark Zuckerberg was going sailing and made no apologies during the hearing. “I believe the time is right for action. You are my catalyst.

Zuckerberg, while keeping his distance with the Journal’s reporting and whistleblower documents has allowed other representatives of the company to take on the fire publicly. Facebook, for instance, sent a reminder last week Antigone DavisThe global leader in safety to testifyThe Journal’s reporting as well as the research of the company were discussed before the committee.

“The Buck stops with him”

On Monday, Haugen testified. FacebookAndy Stone, the spokesperson, used Twitter to attempt to denigrate the ex-employee’s authority by noting that she wasn’t directly involved in the matter.

Sen. Marsha BLACKBURN, R-Tenn. read Stone’s tweet toward the end and indicated that the company can use the open stage for its part of the story.

Blackburn stated, “I will just say this to Mr. Stone. If Facebook wishes to discuss its targeting of children, and if they wish to discuss privacy invasions or violations to the Children Online Privacy Act, I am extending an invitation for them to come forward, be sworn into, and testify before that committee.” We would love to have your testimony and are happy to receive feedback from you.

It’s Zuckerberg that they are most interested in questioning. He is founder, visionary, and the largest shareholder. And he retains over half of all the voting rights. Haugen made this point to the Committee.

Haugen stated that Mark has created an organization that’s very metrics-driven. It is not intended to be flat. There is no one-size fits all. Decisions are made by the metrics. That is not enough. In the end, it is his decision to make those decisions, even if he serves as the chairman and CEO of Facebook.

“The Buck stops with him, but the Buck stops with him,” Blumenthal said. Blumenthal asked.

Haugen declared, “The Buck stops with him.”

Stone sent out a tweet after the hearing, indicating that Haugen did not have the right to see the intricacies of the company.

Facebook claimed that “We disagree with her description of the many issues, she testified to,”

D-Mass. Sen. Ed Markey thanked Haugen, called her a “21st-century American Hero” and stated that Zuckerberg is on the committee’s agenda.

Markey declared, “Here’s my message to Mark Zuckerberg. Your time invading and promoting toxic material and preying on children is done.” Your company will no longer be allowed to harm children and families as well as our democracy.

Blumenthal, who was present at the hearing, stated it was premature for him to suggest subpoenaing Zuckerberg. He also suggested that Zuckerberg should be free to appear before Congress.

Blumenthal stated that “he has the public responsibility to answer those questions.”

— CNBC’s Lauren FeinerContributed to the report.

WATCH: Facebook investor on whistleblower testimony

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