The Columbus Dispatch

Tech records sought in Jan. 6 riot probe

- Michael Balsamo

WASHINGTON – The House panel investigat­ing the riot at the U.S. Capitol issued sweeping document requests on Friday to social media companies, expanding the scope of its investigat­ion as it seeks to examine the events leading to the Jan. 6 insurrecti­on.

The requests were issued to technology giants, including Google, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and Tiktok, and also to Reddit, Parler, Telegram, 4chan, 8kun and other platforms.

The committee asked 15 companies to provide copies of any reviews, studies, reports or analysis about misinforma­tion related to the 2020 election, foreign influence in the election, efforts to stop the election certification and “domestic violent extremists” associated with efforts to overturn the 2020 election, including the attack on the Capitol.

“We have received the request and look forward to continuing to work with the committee,” Facebook said in an emailed statement.

Google, which owns Youtube, also confirmed receipt of the letter and said it would work with Congress. “The events of January 6 were unpreceden­ted and tragic, and Google and Youtube strongly condemn them. We’re committed to protecting our platforms from abuse, including by rigorously enforcing our policies for content related to the events of January 6,” the company said.

Twitter declined comment about the document request.

The requested documents are being sought in what is expected to be a lengthy, partisan and rancorous investigat­ion into how the mob was able to infiltrate the Capitol and disrupt the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s presidenti­al victory, inflicting the most serious assault on Congress in two centuries.

Earlier last week, the committee sent out another request for documents from intelligen­ce, law enforcemen­t and other government agencies. The largest request so far was made to the National Archives for informatio­n on former President Donald Trump and his former team.

Trump accused the committee of violating “long-standing legal principles of privilege.”

 ?? MANUEL BALCE CENETA/AP, FILE ?? The requested documents are being sought in what is expected to be a lengthy, partisan and rancorous investigat­ion.
MANUEL BALCE CENETA/AP, FILE The requested documents are being sought in what is expected to be a lengthy, partisan and rancorous investigat­ion.

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