Facebook, Google, Twitter asked to testify on Russian
meddling
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[September 28, 2017]
By Dustin Volz and Patricia Zengerle
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Executives from
Facebook, Alphabet Inc's Google and Twitter have been asked to testify
to the U.S. Congress in coming weeks as lawmakers probe Russia's alleged
interference in the 2016 U.S. election, committee sources said on
Wednesday.
A Senate aide said executives from the three firms had been asked by the
Senate Intelligence Committee to appear at a public hearing on Nov. 1.
The leaders of the House of Representatives Intelligence Committee said
the panel would hold an open hearing next month with representatives
from unnamed technology companies in an effort to "better understand how
Russia used online tools and platforms to sow discord in and influence
our election."
Representatives for Facebook and Google confirmed they had received
invitations from the Senate committee but did not say whether the
companies would attend. Twitter did not immediately respond to requests
for comment.

The House panel did not immediately identify any companies, but a
committee source said lawmakers expected to hear from the same three
firms the Senate had asked to testify.
The requests are the latest move by congressional investigators to gain
information from internet companies as they probe the extent of Moscow's
alleged efforts to disrupt last year's U.S. election. Lawmakers in both
parties have grown increasingly concerned that social networks may have
played a key role in Russia's influence operation.
Facebook revealed this month that suspected Russian trolls purchased
more than $100,000 worth of divisive ads on its platform during the 2016
election cycle, a revelation that has prompted calls from some Democrats
for new disclosure rules for online political ads.
On Wednesday, Trump attacked Facebook in a tweet and suggested the
world's largest social network had colluded with other media outlets
that opposed him. The president has been skeptical of the conclusions of
U.S. intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the election and
has denied his campaign colluded with Moscow.
The salvo prompted a lengthy rebuke from Facebook Chief Executive Mark
Zuckerberg, who said both Trump and liberals were upset about ideas and
content on Facebook during the campaign.

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Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is seen on stage during a town hall at
Facebook's headquarters in Menlo Park, California September 27,
2015. REUTERS/Stephen Lam/File Photo

"That’s what running a platform for all ideas looks like," Zuckerberg wrote on
his personal Facebook page.
Other internet firms besides Facebook are also facing rising scrutiny over how
Russia may have leveraged their platforms. Twitter is expected to privately
brief the Senate panel on Thursday.
Republican Senator James Lankford, who has received classified information about
Russia's interference as a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, said on
Wednesday that the country's attempts to sow discord in U.S. domestic affairs
had not abated.
Russian internet trolls over the weekend fueled the debate ignited by Trump over
whether NFL players should have the right to kneel during the national anthem,
Lankford said.
Also on Wednesday, the Daily Beast, citing unnamed sources, reported that a
Facebook group named "United Muslims of America" was a fake account linked to
the Russian government and that it was used to push false claims about U.S.
politicians, including Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
The group bought Facebook ads to reach targeted audiences, promoting political
rallies aimed at Muslims, the website reported.
The Senate and House intelligence committees are two of the main congressional
panels probing allegations that Russia sought to interfere in the U.S. election
to boost Trump's chances at winning the White House, and possible collusion
between Trump associates and Russia.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle and Dustin Volz, additional reporting by Paresh
Dave; Editing by Peter Cooney and Andrew Hay)
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