National Post (National Edition)
‘WE DIDN’T DO ENOUGH,’ ZUCKERBERG ADMITS
In a rare public inquisition, Facebook CEO seeks to quell concerns of Congress
WASHINGTON • It is clear that Facebook “didn’t do enough” to prevent its technological tools “from being used for harm,” a contrite Mark Zuckerberg admitted Tuesday in a public grilling before U.S. senators that featured complaints that went far beyond how the social network has handled the data of tens of millions of users.
Senators from both parties aggressively questioned the Facebook CEO in his first-ever public appearance before Congress.
The threat of greater regulation — not just of Facebook, but of the entire technology industry — hung in the air.
“If Facebook and other online companies will not or cannot fix these privacy invasions, then we will,” said Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Commerce Committee.
Tuesday’s event was a rare joint hearing before the senate’s Commerce and Judiciary committees, with as many as 44 senators set to question the Facebook executive.
Zuckerberg, who traded his trademark T-shirts and hoodies for the standard Capitol Hill suit-and-tie garb, sought to quell the concerns of lawmakers and vowed to make meaningful reforms.
“It’s clear now that we didn’t do enough to prevent these tools from being used for harm as well,” Zuckerberg said. “And that goes for fake news, foreign interference in elections, and hate speech, as well as developers and data privacy.”
Zuckerberg, who has long avoided wading into Washington affairs, took responsibility for the missteps. “We didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake. And it was my mistake, and I’m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I’m responsible for what happens here.”
The exchanges between the 33-year-old billionaire and lawmakers were often tense. Facebook’s inability to identify and combat Russian disinformation during the 2016 presidential campaign was one of Zuckerberg’s “biggest regrets,” he said. “One of my top priorities in 2018 is getting this right.” He also confirmed Facebook officials have been interviewed by the office of Special Counsel Robert Mueller, who has been investigating Russia’s role in influencing the 2016 election.
“I know we are working with them,” said Zuckerberg.
The senators did not seem appeased by Zuckerberg’s several apologies, acknowledgments and vows to do better in the future. Several asked for detailed answers about how private, thirdparty companies, such as the political consultancy Cambridge Analytica, gained access to personal data on 87 million Facebook users.
They demanded new detail about how Facebook collects and uses data and elicited assurances it will implement major improvements in protecting personal privacy.
Others questioned the very business model of Facebook, which makes money by selling online advertisements based on what it learns about users on the platform.
“We want to offer a free service that everyone can afford. That’s the only way we can connect billions of people ... and is most aligned with our mission of connecting everyone in the world,” Zuckerberg said.
The Facebook CEO told Sen. Dick Durbin he would rather not share personal details of his life with Congress.
“Mr. Zuckerberg, would you be comfortable sharing with us the name of the hotel you stayed in last night?” asked Durbin, an Illinois Democrat.
“Um ... no,” Zuckerberg said after pausing, then smiled as the room laughed.
“If you’ve messaged anybody this week, would you share with us the names of the people you’ve messaged?” Durbin continued.
“Senator, no, I would probably not choose to do that publicly here,” Zuckerberg replied.
“I think that maybe is what this is all about,” Durbin said. “Your right to privacy. The limits of your right to privacy and how much you give away in modern America in the name of quote, ‘Connecting people around the world.’ ”