Larry Page, CEO of Google parent company Alphabet, opted not to join his peers — Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey — at election security hearings before the Senate Intelligence Committee Wednesday, sparking the committee members’ bipartisan wrath.
Lawmakers left an empty chair and name tag to express their disapproval with the tech giant’s absence. But the senators did not stop at visual statements.
“The committee takes this issue very seriously, and we appreciate that Facebook and Twitter are represented here this morning with an equivalent and appropriate measure of seriousness,” Committee Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC) jabbed in his opening statement.
Sen. Mark Warner (D-VA), the ranking Democrat on the committee, said that he was “very disappointed” in Google.
“From Google Search, which continues to have problems surfacing absurd conspiracies…. To YouTube, where Russian-backed disinformation agents promoted hundreds of divisive videos…. To Gmail, where state-sponsored operatives attempt countless hacking attempts, Google has an immense responsibility in this space,” he said.
Per Business Insider, Google Senior Vice President, Global Affairs and Chief Legal Officer Kent Walker sent written testimony that did not address the absence.
If this was the UK, “Selling England by the Pound” would be appropriate…
These guys never gave second thought to what what going on as long as the stock price soared…
“From Google Search, which continues to have problems surfacing absurd conspiracies…. To YouTube, where Russian-backed disinformation agents promoted hundreds of divisive videos…. To Gmail, where state-sponsored operatives attempt countless hacking attempts, Google has an immense responsibility in this space,” he said.
The real problem here is that a significant proportion of humanity isn’t capable of sorting out truthful information from rubbish. In other words, you can’t fix stupid. Actually, you could somewhat by teaching, starting from childhood, how to think independently and recognize propaganda when you see it. Unfortunately, that doesn’t benefit most of the vested interests with the power and money, so it is a tough haul.
I would not have shown up either. The Google letter spells out all that needs to be said for ad buyers being US citizens, publicizing political content sources, etc.
If Google showed up, they would be just one of several witnesses, wasting several days (with travel) so that idiots could rant and rave about fake censorship of Diamond and Silk on You Tube, just like in the House.
Google no show was the right move.
Would a future Google be allowed to produce results if you searched “The resurrection of Jesus”? A human being dies, no oxygen to the brain for days, decomposition occurring. Then they arise, alive, sentient, communicating with others. Would that qualify as an absurd conspiracy in Warner’s book? Should a Google search prevent results on this subject?