Tech CEOs including Mark Zuckerberg told "you have blood on your hands" during US Senate hearing
In a heated congressional hearing on Wednesday, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, along with leaders of other social media companies, faced intense scrutiny and reprimand from lawmakers for their alleged failure to adequately safeguard children online.
The Senate Judiciary Committee opened the session with disturbing videos portraying individuals who claimed to be sexually exploited on Facebook, Instagram, and Discord.
Senator Lindsey Graham accused Zuckerberg of having "blood on his hands," asserting that Meta's product was "killing people."
Committee chair, Senator Dick Durbin, a Democrat from Illinois, criticized social media platforms, citing instances where Discord was used for child grooming, Meta's Instagram facilitated a network of pedophiles, and Snapchat's disappearing messages were exploited by criminals engaging in financial sextortion.
The CEOs, starting with Discord's Jason Citron, defended their child safety procedures and pledged to collaborate with lawmakers, parents, nonprofits, and law enforcement to enhance protection for minors. Meta disclosed a $5 billion expenditure on safety and security in 2023, while TikTok announced plans to allocate $2 billion in 2024 to address the issue.
Under pressure from Missouri Republican Josh Hawley to apologize to victims present at the hearing, Zuckerberg stood up, acknowledging the impact on families and emphasizing Meta's significant investments to prevent similar experiences. However, he declined to commit to Hawley's suggestion of establishing a victim's compensation fund.
Zuckerberg consistently denied a direct link between Facebook and teen mental health issues, asserting that scientific evidence did not overwhelmingly support such claims. He later acknowledged that while the bulk of the evidence does not suggest a connection, individual cases of issues may exist.
TikTok's CEO Shou Zi Chew affirmed the platform's diligence in enforcing the ban on children under 13, emphasizing their commitment to a safer environment. Linda Yaccarino, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), claimed that her company did not cater to minors.
Snap CEO Evan Spiegel issued an apology to parents whose children overdosed on fentanyl after purchasing drugs on Snapchat. He expressed regret for the company's inability to prevent these tragedies, highlighting efforts to block search terms linked to drugs and collaborate with law enforcement.
Child health advocates criticized social media companies, arguing that they repeatedly failed to protect minors. Zamaan Qureshi, co-chair of Design It For Us, a youth-led coalition advocating for safer social media, emphasized the need for independent regulation and urged companies to prioritize safety and privacy over revenue.
Meta currently faces lawsuits from numerous states, accusing the company of deliberately designing features on Instagram and Facebook that addict children to its platforms while failing to protect them from online predators. Internal emails released by Senator Richard Blumenthal's office reveal concerns raised by executives, including Nick Clegg, Meta's president of global affairs, about the effects on youth mental health and a call to hire more personnel to strengthen well-being across the company.
Lawmakers are increasingly pushing for measures to combat the spread of child sexual abuse images online and hold tech platforms accountable for safeguarding children. The congressional session on Wednesday is part of a broader effort to pass legislation addressing the long-standing inaction by Congress in regulating social media companies.
During the hearing, Spiegel expressed support for a federal bill creating legal liability for apps and social platforms recommending harmful content to minors. Yaccarino endorsed the Stop CSAM Act, which aims to allow victims of child exploitation to sue technology companies.
Some Republican lawmakers directed their focus on TikTok, accusing Chew of sympathizing with China. Arkansas Republican Tom Cotton questioned Chew's potential fear of losing his job if he spoke negatively about the Chinese Communist Party, despite Chew's background and residence in Singapore.
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Dalit nurse dies by suicide in Jodhpur after alleged caste-based assault
Jodhpur — A 26-year-old Dalit nurse died by suicide on May 2, reportedly after being assaulted and harassed by her upper-caste neighbours in a caste-related incident in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur district. The incident has triggered widespread protests demanding justice.
According to the victim’s family, the violence broke out on April 30 after a few drops of water from their courtyard cleaning fell on a neighbouring car. This minor issue allegedly led to a violent and casteist attack by Shankar Lal Bishnoi, his wife, and their sons, Rajendra alias Raj and Vikas alias Vicky. The nurse, along with her mother and younger brother, was allegedly beaten during the attack.
The family claims that the attackers scratched the victim on her chest and face, humiliating her and targeting her caste identity.
In a suicide note left behind by the victim, she clearly named the accused and described the assault as caste-driven. “They scratched my chest, insulted my dignity. I don’t want a life filled with casteism and people’s filthy gazes,” the note read.
The letter also pointed to police negligence. The family said they waited for over nine hours at the Mata Ka Than police station, but only minor charges were filed against the accused, who were released soon after. The note mentioned the name of the Station House Officer (SHO) Bhanwar Singh Jakhad and local councillor Jani Devi. The nurse alleged that the SHO told them, “Nothing will happen to them,” and the councillor claimed the accused had “high-level connections.”
In her final words, the nurse wrote: “No one stood by me. Not the police. Not the system. Not even my own.”
The incident has led to angry protests in the area. Demonstrators gathered outside the police station and blocked Bhadwasiya Road, demanding the immediate arrest of the accused and the suspension of the SHO. The protesters have refused to allow the post-mortem of the victim until their demands are met.
Following the protests and public outrage, the police have now registered a case of abetment to suicide against the four accused.
(Assistance for overcoming suicidal thoughts is available on the state’s health helpline 104, Tele-MANAS 14416.)
