Big Tech: Back in Front of Informed Elected Officials Again

January 14, 2022

I read “Jan. 6 Committee Subpoenas Tech Giants after Inadequate Responses.” The write up states:

The subpoenas demand that Facebook, Google, Reddit and Twitter turn over more information about what they did and didn’t do in the lead-up to Jan. 6.

I stopped reading. Here’s what went on in my mind with the same impact as a trailer for “Don’t Look Up.”

ELECTED OFFICIAL INTERROGATES HIGH TECH EXECUTIVE:

Were you aware that your service was used to coordinate activities related to the January 6, 2022, incident in the months leading up to the date?

HIGH TECH EXECUTIVE RESPONSE:

Respectfully congressperson, our system is automated and appropriate actions were taken in real time by our artificial intelligence content moderation system.

ELECTED OFFICIAL INTERROGATES HIGH TECH EXECUTIVE:

What actions were taken?

HIGH TECH EXECUTIVE RESPONSE:

Congressperson, thank you for the question, I will have to obtain specific information after I return to my home office. I will forward that data to you and will answer any questions you have.

ELECTED OFFICIAL INTERROGATES HIGH TECH EXECUTIVE:

What do you know about the use of your platform to coordinate activities on the day of January 6, 2021?

HIGH TECH EXECUTIVE RESPONSE:

Congressperson, thank you for the question, I do not have at this time any knowledge of what our systems or the managers of those systems did on that particular day. I will, of course, gather any information available and provide that to your office.

ELECTED OFFICIAL INTERROGATES HIGH TECH EXECUTIVE:

We did ask for that information, and you did not provide the information. What do you have to say for yourself?

HIGH TECH EXECUTIVE RESPONSE:

Congressperson, I appreciate the opportunity to respond to that question. We did provide information about the January 6, 2021, incident. If that information was not what was needed, I sincerely apologize for the misunderstanding. I am really, really, really sorry. Immediately after this hearing, I will coordinate with my team. We definitely will provide any  data available to us from the events which took place more than one year ago. With the hard copies, we will include a selection of tchotchkes, including our mouse pad with color logo, a flashing LED logo pin, and a T shirt for you. Are you a size extra large or extra extra large?

ELECTED OFFICIAL INTERROGATES HIGH TECH EXECUTIVE:

Thank you for your testimony, but it seems familiar to me. My time is up. I yield to my colleague from the great State of California.

Stephen E Arnold, January 14, 2022

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