Industry-Wide Scrutiny
This year, 2021, is a monumental shift in legislation and policy concerning Big Tech. Multiple proverbial slaps are being dealt to the faces of social media giants, stemming from a lack of responsibility in the industry that has been building for some time. The central focus is currently on the platform that caters to half of the planet across several apps, Meta Platforms Inc., however, it looks like nobody is going to emerge unscathed in this ongoing, wide-ranging predicament that revolves around the effects of social media on users and Big Tech’s stance on data privacy. It is not just Meta and Google (who own YouTube)—members of the ‘Big Five’ (GAMAM)—who are being probed but others like TikTok and Snap that are in the same boat, too.
Mosseri Testifies Before Congress
In yet another instance of social media scrutiny, CEO of Instagram Adam Mosseri testified on Wednesday before the Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety, and Data Security on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. FT reported that the event was “a bruising congressional hearing into the effect of tech” on the younger demographic.
The Facebook Papers
Pressure from both U.S. parties and the Senate to scrutinize and regulate social media has increased exponentially since whistleblower Fraunces Haugen—a former Facebook employee—began releasing concerning information about Facebook’s practices between September and October 2021. She also disclosed the highly controversial ‘Facebook Papers‘ to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Congress Not Happy With Instagram’s Stance
Mosseri’s tough two-hour testimony to Congress on Wednesday was his first chance to respond publicly to accusations of misconduct. According to FT, he stated that it was “untrue,” that Instagram was exposing “its users to harm to protect profits,” and that, over the long term, “it has to be better for us as a business if people feel good about the time that they spend on our platform,” he stressed, tactfully. Mosseri’s responses to Congress indicated that Instagram is in favor of regulation and is in favor of adhering to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act. When it comes to “how to verify age, how to design age-appropriate experiences, and how to build parental controls,” Mosseri stressed that best practices must be formed for these key points.
Mosseri’s Refusal to Share Internal Market Research
Senators at the Congressional hearing were extremely dissatisfied and angered with Mosseri’s “repeated refusal refused to share all of the company’s internal market research on the impact of its products on young users” wrote FT. Democratic Chair of the committee, Richard Blumenthal, remarked that Mosseri’s answers were “just completely unsatisfactory.” “We want the studies, we want the research, we want the surveys,” said Blumenthal.
A Slippery Slope For Instagram
The most senior Republican at the Congressional hearing, Marsha Blackburn, emphasized that “half-measures,” introduced by Instagram concerning protecting kids and teens online are “[not] going to get us to the point where we need to be.” Mosseri’s proposed “baby steps,” were “underwhelming,” said Blumenthal according to The Washington Post article. “A nudge, a break, that ain’t going to save a kid from the addictive effects on your platform.” Mosseri’s compliant attitude and tactful approach were not sufficient to sway Blackburn, “It’s not an industry body that is going to set these standards,” she stated. “It is going to be the U.S. Congress.”
