Major technology chiefs to testify in an open hearing

In a statement released, Senator Richard Burr, chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee disclosed that Jack Dorsey, the CEO of Twitter and Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook will be testifying in an open hearing at the committee next week. Moreover, Larry Page, the CEO of Alphabet, the parent company of Google may also be appearing for the hearing, but it is yet to be confirmed.

This hearing is convened in order to shed light on the efforts undertaken by the social media giants to handle the influence of foreign meddlers who use social platforms to sway political opinions. Following Facebook Chief Mark Zuckerberg’s hearing in April, this will be the second time that members of senior management of major technology corporations will be called for a hearing. The Senate Intelligence Committee exercises oversight over all the activities of intelligence and surveillance by United States government agencies. The hearing of the CEO of Facebook in April exposed gaping holes in policy matters regarding online privacy.

Additionally, the effect of Russian and Iranian operatives who used social media to influence political inclinations of the general public about the 2016 presidential elections has raised serious concerns about the impact of social media organizations. Facebook and Twitter have already deleted hundreds of accounts and blocked several pages which were believed to be operated by groups who sought to sway public opinion through targeted posts. However, it remains to see whether large technology corporations will impose tougher measures to curb politically motivated activities.