Facebook, Twitter to ‘defend against foreign intrusion’

Facebook and Twitter executives pledged on Wednesday to better protect their social media platforms in the 2018 elections in the US and beyond, and told Congress of aggressive efforts to root out foreign intrusions aimed at sowing divisions in American democracy.

Facebook’s number 2 executive, Sheryl Sandberg, and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testified before the Senate intelligence committee, but there was an empty chair for Google’s parent Alphabet, which refused to send its top executive.

Senators had sharp words for Alphabet CEO Larry Page, who oversees Google. Senator Marco Rubio suggested the company might have bailed because it was “arrogant” while senator Susan Collins expressed outrage over the absence.

Sandberg acknowledged Facebook’s lag in recognising Russian efforts to manipulate Facebook during and after the 2016 US presidential election. Sandberg detailed the company’s efforts to fight the problem with new technologies and manpower.

Dorsey, far less of a public figure than Sandberg, acknowledged that he is “typically pretty shy”. But he was forthcoming with the committee about what his company needs to improve.

13 RUSSIANS WERE INDICTED THIS YEAR ON CHARGES OF DISRUPTING THE 2016 ELECTIONS BY CREATING FAKE ACCOUNTS THAT PUSHED DIVISIVE ISSUES ON SOCIAL MEDIA.