Homeland Security Subcommittee lawmakers
Rep. Max Rose (D-NY), chair of the Homeland Subcommittee on Intelligence and Counterterrorism, joined fellow Democrats in seeking information on each company’s annual budget for counterterrorism-related programs, the number of personnel working solely on those programs and the number of staff who specialize in far-right extremism as well as foreign terrorist organizations and other forms of extremism.
“We’ve seen in graphic detail the extent that terrorist organizations and extremists have used social media to amplify their reach and message in recent years,” Rose said. “While social media companies tell us they’re taking this seriously, I want to see the numbers to back that up—and won’t stop until we get answers.”
The inquiry stems from a March 27 briefing in which Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Microsoft were unable to answer questions about resource allocation dedicated to protection efforts, per lawmakers.
Authorities maintain terrorist groups have used social media to spread ideologies and recruit new members across the world. From the rise and spread of ISIS to the recent attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, which was live streamed live via
Facebook, serious questions remain as to how and what the companies are doing to combat the spread of terrorism and extremism.