Google, Facebook and Twitter told to testify in Russia probe
The Senate Intelligence Committee has asked top tech companies Google, Facebook and Twitter to testify about Russian interference in US politics, a Senate aide confirmed Wednesday.
The three internet and online social media giants are expected to appear on November 1 in an open hearing on the rising evidence that they were covertly manipulated in a campaign to help Donald Trump win the presidency.
Before that they could also testify in the House Intelligence Committee: Representatives Mike Conaway and Adam Schiff, who lead the committee’s Russia probe, announced late Wednesday they too had invited representatives of technology firms to testify on Russian manipulation.
“Congress and the American people need to hear this important information directly from these companies,” they said.
Facebook recently revealed that for just $100,000, apparent Russia-linked buyers placed some 3,000 advertisements on its pages that appeared aimed at influencing the election.
ZUCKERBERG FIRES BACK AT TRUMP
Facebook chief Mark Zuckerberg fired back at US President Donald Trump on Wednesday after he accused the leading social network of being “always antiTrump.”
Zuckerberg rejected the notion, countering that Facebook is working to ensure “free and fair elections” with an online platform that does not favor one side over another.
“Trump says Facebook is against him. Liberals say we helped Trump,” Zuckerberg said in his post. Both sides are upset about ideas and content they don’t like,” Zuckerberg said.