strong, smart remarks by @davidcicilline. He also formally recognizes International Grand Committee and announces intention to carry forward with a US-hosted virtual session after conversation w/ prior IGC chairs: @DamianCollins (UK), @bobzimmermp (Canada), @1Hildegarde (Ireland)
Really appreciate @davidcicilline savviness & concerns re: microtargeting of political ads on Facebook's social media platform. FB's unwillingness to do the right thing (like Google & Twitter) facilitates "darkness" inability for counter-speech to call out mis/disinformation.
I'll post video clips but @DamianCollins continues to be one of savviest lawmakers globally on issues of GOOG/FB, disinfo, data, etc. He even rightly warned about burying CDA230 protections in new trade agreement. @davidcicilline @DamianCollins should take convo on the road.
yes @davidcicilline points out Facebook/platforms don't have an "inability" to deal with these issues. It's an *unwillingness.* He also says his final antitrust report will be coming soon and warns the American people that with FB's $ power comes political power => 100% right.
really glad to see conservative @DamianCollins comment on US election recognizing Biden's statement of concerns around social media. US public needs to know these issues now transcend oceans, political parties and these lawmakers are significantly prepared to lead on the issues.
powerful testimony from NY doctor:
"I've lost count of how many people were exposed not to the virus itself but to medical information about the virus on social media and it's hurting my patients." - Dr. Sonya Stokes (1 of 2)
"I've lost count of how many people were exposed not to the virus itself but to medical information about the virus on social media and it's hurting my patients." - Dr. Sonya Stokes (1 of 2)
Just watch this. And please do whatever you can to make sure Facebook leadership, its advertisers and your elected representatives see it. This is the real world harm... Dr. Sonya Stokes (2 of 2)
Here is @davidcicilline updating on the International Grand Committee plan for its fourth meeting (virtually) in the early Fall to continue the momentum established previously in London, Ottawa and Dublin. @DamianCollins @1Hildegarde @bobzimmermp
t-minus < five months until US elections. Please watch this question and the answers from two different lawmakers who have closely studied tech platforms from two different sides of the political aisle and two different sides of the Atlantic. ht @davidcicilline @DamianCollins
"They don't need any carrots, they're making enormous amounts of money. The most profitable companies in the world because they are collecting all of this data [to] microtarget them." - @davidcicilline rightly focusing on data and antitrust.
and @davidcicilline conducts clinic on Mark Zuckerberg's BS narrative around the 1st amendment rightly pointing out Facebook designs algorithms to promote content which is a biz decision (not 1A) in order to maximize their profits... confirming @DamianCollins earlier points.
"Editors have been replaced by algorithms" - @beynate, Canadian Member of Parliament, "of course they should not promote and profit from harmful content...we see the consequences in this covid crisis...failing to take action because of profit motive will lead to lives lost."
final remarks from @RepSchakowsky @SenBlumenthal "We need all governments, all Parliaments, Congress working with Canadian working with the UK Parliament and beyond. This isn't a problem for the U.S., this isn't a problem for Canada, this is a problem for our world." - @beynate
