Current:Home > MyMark Zuckerberg to families of exploited kids: 'I'm sorry for everything you've been through'-InfoLens
Mark Zuckerberg to families of exploited kids: 'I'm sorry for everything you've been through'
View Date:2024-12-23 14:44:09
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg faced the music before Congress on Wednesday.
The Facebook founder and CEO of Meta, which also owns Instagram, WhatsApp, and Threads, had a signature moment during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing called "Big Tech and the Online Child Sexual Exploitation Crisis."
During his questioning of Zuckerberg, Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri said that families of children and teens exploited on social networks were in attendance. "Have you apologized to the victims? Would you like to do so now? … They're here. You're on national television."
Zuckerberg got out of his chair and turned and faced the crowd in attendance. “I’m sorry for everything you have all been through,” he said.
"No one should have to go through the things that your families have suffered, and this is why we invested so much and are going to continue doing industry-leading efforts to make sure that no one has to go through the types of things that your families had to suffer,” Zuckerberg said, and then sat back down.
'It killed him':Families of victims of big tech, present at Senate hearing, share their stories
Hawley continues questioning Zuckerberg
Hawley wasn't done with Zuckerberg and asked whether he would take personal responsibility in compensating the victims.
"You're a billionaire. Will you commit to compensating the victims?" he asked Zuckerberg. "Will you set up a victims' compensation fund? With your money? The money you made on these families sitting behind you? Yes or no?"
Zuckerberg answered, "Senator, I don't think that that's … my job is …"
Hawley interrupts: "Sounds like a no."
What is social media exposing kids to?:TikTok, Facebook CEOs to face tough Senate hearing
Other tech CEOs questioned
Zuckerberg wasn't the only tech CEO questioned during the hearing. Also questioned: the leaders of TikTok, Snap, Discord and X.
Later, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel also apologized to families who had children die after buying drugs using Snapchat.
“I’m so sorry that we have not been able to prevent these tragedies,” Spiegel said, before listing some of the company's initiatives to protect young users, CNN reported.
Lawmakers have been devising legislation to protect young social media users.
"This stand against online child sexual exploitation is bipartisan and absolutely necessary," said Democratic Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin, who has introduced the Stop CSAM (child sexual abuse material), which would let victims sue online networks over the issue.
Follow Mike Snider on X and Threads: @mikesnider & mikegsnider.
What's everyone talking about? Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Jason Statham Shares Rare Family Photos of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Their Kids on Vacation
- Florida mom tried selling daughter to stranger for $500, then abandoned the baby, police say
- Judge asked to dismiss claims against police over killing of mentally ill woman armed with shotgun
- Judge asked to dismiss claims against police over killing of mentally ill woman armed with shotgun
- Military veteran gets time served for making ricin out of ‘curiosity’
- First male top-tier professional soccer player to come out as gay proposes to partner on home pitch
- Aaron Donald was a singularly spectacular player. The NFL will never see another like him.
- The deceptive math of credit card rewards: Spending for points doesn't always make sense
- Insurance magnate pleads guilty as government describes $2B scheme
- PETA tells WH, Jill Biden annual Easter Egg Roll can still be 'egg-citing' with potatoes
Ranking
- As the transition unfolds, Trump eyes one of his favorite targets: US intelligence
- Totally into totality: Eclipse lovers will travel anywhere to chase shadows on April 8
- Cara Delevingne's Parents Reveal Cause of Her Devastating Los Angeles House Fire
- Does iPhone have captioning? How to add captions to audio from any smartphone app
- RHOBH's Kyle Richards Shares Reaction to BFF Teddi Mellencamp's Divorce
- Bears trade Justin Fields to Steelers, clear way to take a QB such as Caleb Williams with No. 1 pick
- Kelly Clarkson Countersues Ex Brandon Blackstock Amid 3-Year Legal Battle
- Tennis Star Andre Agassi Applauds the Evolving Conversation About Mental Health in Sports
Recommendation
-
The 10 Best Cashmere Sweaters and Tops That Feel Luxuriously Soft and Are *Most Importantly* Affordable
-
After dangerous tornadoes in Ohio and Indiana, survivors salvage, reflect and prepare for recovery
-
Steelers trade QB Kenny Pickett to Eagles, clearing way for Russell Wilson to start, per reports
-
Deion Sanders makes grand appearance on `The Tonight Show' with Jimmy Fallon
-
Veterans Day restaurant deals 2024: More than 80 discounts, including free meals
-
U.S. measles milestone: 59 cases so far in 2024 — more than all of 2023
-
AI expert says Princess Kate photo scandal shows our sense of shared reality being eroded
-
Judge mulls third contempt case against Arizona for failing to improve prison health care