Facebook, Google, Twitter Don’t Know—or Don’t Care—if China Tried to Meddle in 2016 Election By Paula Bolyard
https://pjmedia.com/trending/facebook-google-twitter-refuse-to-say-if-china-or-n-korea-tried-to-meddle-in-2016-election/
In a heated House Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday investigating charges of anti-conservative bias by Facebook, Google, and Twitter, Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) queried representatives of those platforms about whether they have found any evidence that countries other than Russia — namely China and N. Korea — had attempted to interfere in U.S. elections in 2016. The individuals representing the Big Three social media platforms couldn’t — or wouldn’t — say.
Gohmert asked, “You have been asked specifically about Russian use of your platforms. But did you ever find any indication of use of your platform utilized by the Chinese, North Korea, or any other foreign country, intelligence, or agency of that country?”
Monika Bickert, head of global policy management at Facebook, attempted to evade the question. “I would note, congressman, that we are not in N. Korea or China,” she said, adding that Facebook has a “robust” security team.
Gohmert tried asking his question again. “We have foreign governments, intelligence agencies in this country. It seems to me you were each a little bit vague about ‘Oh yes, we found hundreds,’ or whatever, I’m asking specifically: were any of those other countries besides Russia that were using your platform inappropriately? It should be a yes or no.”
“I don’t have the details,” Bickert replied. “I know we definitely work to detect and repel attacks — “
“I know that,” Gohmert interrupted, “but were any of them foreign entities other than Russia?”
“I can certainly follow up with you on that,” she said.
“So you don’t know?” Gohmert asked. “You sure seemed anxious to answer the Democrats’ questions about Russia influence. And you don’t really know of all the people — all of the groups that inappropriately used your platform — you don’t know which were Russians and which were other foreign entities?”
“Congressman, we certainly have seen attacks from people other than Russians,” she said. “As far as the details of from whom those attacks have come I would have to have my team follow up with you on that.”
“So you don’t know about China? You’re sure about Russia but you don’t even know about China?” he asked. Bickert again promised to follow up at a later date.
“So you came prepared to help the Democrats establish about Russia but you can’t point out any other country? Is that right?” he persisted. Bickert again demurred.
Next Gohmert asked the same question of Juniper Downs, global head of public policy and government relations at Google.
“Our security team is trained to protect our services from foreign –” Downs began. CONTINUE AT SITE
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