Facebook, Twitter and Google singled out for spreading false vaccine information
Google's Sundar Pichai, Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg and Twitter's Jack Dorsey have found themselves in the crosshairs of Democrats and Republicans in Congress.
Fabrice COFFRINI, ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS, Jim WATSON AFP / File
Text by: RFI Follow
2 min
The bosses of Facebook, Twitter and Google were heard on Thursday by an American parliamentary committee.
This is the fourth time that Mark Zuckerberg, who founded Facebook, and Jack Dorsey of Twitter have been questioned by elected officials since last July.
It is a rare subject of political consensus: the responsibility of large technology companies in the spread of false information about the vaccine against the coronavirus is unanimous among elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans.
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With our correspondent in Washington,
Anne Corpet
The content your sites spread is one of the biggest reasons people refuse to get vaccinated, says Mike Doyle, Democratic Representative from Pennsylvania.
In turn, elected officials curb the bosses of Facebook, Twitter and Google accused of spreading false news on the vaccine, but also on the result of the elections.
But company managers dodge attacks and refuse any idea that the authorities regulate their content.
“
The system is flawed, but it's the best approach we've come up with in line with our country's values,”
says Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg.
It is impossible to intercept any unwanted content without infringing on the freedom of citizens in a manner acceptable to society.
"
Jack Dorsey, boss of Twitter goes even further: “
If we wake up tomorrow and ask the government to tell us what content to remove or leave, we could end up with a service that will no longer be able to question the government.
It is a reality in many countries today and it is against the rights of individuals.
"
But the elected officials do not budge.
They promise to legislate to try to limit the spread of fake news on the networks.
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Social networks
Coronavirus
Vaccines
United States