Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg apologizes to folks of victims of on-line exploitation in heated Senate listening to

Mark Zuckerberg, the chief government of Meta, apologized to families who stated their youngsters had been harmed by social media use throughout a heated listening to on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. 

The apology got here as Zuckerberg, whose agency owns social media platforms Fb and Instagram, answered questions at a U.S. Senate Judiciary listening to on the impression of social media on youngsters. The listening to checked out baby sexual exploitation on-line, and in addition included CEOs from Discord, Snap, X and TikTok, and featured a video of youngsters talking about their experiences with online bullying, abuse and more. 

Committee chair Dick Durbin bashed the platforms for failing to guard youngsters, and Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham advised Zuckerberg that he had “blood on his palms” from a “product that is killing individuals.” Households additionally attended the listening to, some holding indicators sharing their youngsters’s tales. 

When Zuckerberg was requested by Republican Sen. Josh Hawley if he wish to apologize to victims harmed by his product, the Meta CEO addressed households in attendance immediately. 

“I am sorry for every thing you may have all been by means of,” Zuckerberg stated. “Nobody ought to undergo the issues that your households have suffered and that is why we make investments a lot and we’re going to proceed doing industry-wide efforts to ensure nobody has to undergo the issues your households have needed to undergo.” 

Zuckerberg and different social media CEOs touted their baby security procedures on-line. Meta has beforehand stated that it has spent $5 billion on security and safety in 2023. 

The CEOs additionally stated they’d work with lawmakers, dad and mom, nonprofits and legislation enforcement to guard minors. Zuckerberg declined to decide to Hawley’s suggestion that he arrange a sufferer’s compensation fund. 

A rising variety of lawmakers are urging measures to curb the unfold of kid sexual abuse photos on-line and to carry know-how platforms higher accountable to safeguard youngsters. The Senate listening to is a part of an effort to cross laws after years of regulatory inaction by Congress. 

Kerry Breen

Kerry Breen is a reporter and information editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York College’s Arthur L. Carter College of Journalism, she beforehand labored at NBC Information’ TODAY Digital. She covers present occasions, breaking information and points together with substance use.