Page 46 - Michael Beckerman News Today

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senators put executives from YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat on the defensive Tuesday, questioning them about what they’re doing to ensure young users’ safety on their platforms.

Senators at the hearing also voiced concerns that TikTok, owned by Beijing-based internet technology company ByteDance, and rivals YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc , and Snapchat have algorithms that can be harmful to young people.

Executives from the three social media giants testified before a Senate subcommittee Thursday about what they are doing to ensure the safety of their youngest users.

The panel is widening its focus to examine other tech platforms with millions or billions of users that also compete for young people’s attention and loyalty.

The panel have called executives from YouTube, TikTok and Snapchat to face questions on what they are doing to ensure young users’ safety.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who chaired the hearing, said being distinct from Facebook isn't enough to cut it for the three tech giants. "That bar is in the gutter," he told the company officials.

Executives from the three social media giants testified before a Senate subcommittee Thursday about what they are doing to ensure the safety of their youngest users.

Citing the harm that can come to vulnerable young people from the sites, the lawmakers also sought the executives support for legislation bolstering protection of children on social media.

Senators at the hearing also voiced concerns that TikTok, owned by Beijing-based internet technology company ByteDance, and rivals YouTube, owned by Alphabet Inc , and Snapchat have algorithms that can be harmful to young people.

An executive at social media app TikTok, owned by Beijing-based ByteDance, denied during a U.S. congressional hearing on Tuesday that it has given information to the Chinese government and said that it has taken steps to safeguard U.S. data.