Senator Lindsey Graham didn't hold back in Wednesday's Big Tech hearing. His target? Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The topic? Child exploitation online.
Graham's words hit hard. "Mr. Zuckerberg, you have blood on your hands," he declared. The audience erupted in applause. "Your product is killing people."
He brought up a heartbreaking case. South Carolina's Brandon Guffey's son, Gavin, 17, tragically took his own life. A Nigerian extortion group on Instagram, owned by Meta, pushed him over the edge.
Graham was seething. "They extorted and threatened Gavin. He paid, but it wasn't enough. He ended his life." The senator's anger was palpable.
He drew parallels with tobacco and firearms. Both are heavily regulated, but social media? It slips through the cracks. Thanks to Section 230, these companies are virtually untouchable in court.
Graham pointed to a missed opportunity. Meta's internal emails revealed a refusal to hire more staff for children's safety. "But victims can't sue. That's the problem," he emphasized.
His conclusion was clear. "Repeal Section 230. These companies have too much protection. No regulation, no liability—it's unacceptable."
Zuckerberg, in his statement, sidestepped Graham's accusation. Instead, he highlighted Meta's efforts. "We've built tools, set time limits, and focused on safety," he said.
But he downplayed the mental health impact. Citing studies, Zuckerberg argued that social media doesn't necessarily harm mental health. "There's no proven causal link," he stated.
He admitted the journey is tough. "Keeping the internet safe is a never-ending battle. We're investing, evolving, but challenges remain," Zuckerberg said.
With 40,000 staff and a $20 billion investment since 2016, Zuckerberg stressed Meta's commitment. "Parents should control their children's app usage, not us," he concluded.