

# Tech CEOs Subpoenaed by Senate Judiciary Committee Over Online Child Safety Concerns

The **Senate Judiciary Committee** has issued subpoenas to the CEOs of **Discord**, **Snap**, and **X** (formerly known as Twitter) to testify at a hearing on online child sexual exploitation (1,2,3,4). The committee is also in talks with **Meta** and **TikTok**, with their respective CEOs, Mark Zuckerberg and Shou Zi Chew, expected to testify voluntarily (1,2,3,4).

The hearing, scheduled for December 6th, aims to address Big Tech's failures in protecting children online and inform legislative efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation (2,4). The committee has approved several bills since a previous hearing in February, including one to remove tech firms' immunity from liability under child sexual abuse material laws and others related to prevention and prosecution of online child exploitation crimes (5).

> "Big Tech has failed to police itself — at the expense of our kids," said Senator Dick Durbin, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee (6).

The subpoenas were issued after Discord and X reportedly refused to accept service of the subpoenas, leading the committee to seek assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service to personally serve the subpoenas (1,2,3,4). The committee released copies of the subpoenas served to Snap's Evan Spiegel, Discord's Jason Citron, and X's Linda Yaccarino (2,5).

> "We promised Big Tech that they’d have their chance to explain their failures to protect kids. Now’s that chance," said Senator Lindsey Graham, top Republican on the committee (6).

X has stated that they have been working in good faith to participate in the hearing on child protection online, emphasizing safety as their top priority (2,5). Snap's CEO has agreed to testify, while Meta and TikTok CEOs are expected to speak voluntarily (4). However, Meta and TikTok did not comment, while Discord and Snap did not immediately respond to requests for comment (2,5).

The news of the subpoenas comes amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on children's mental health and safety. Each of the companies subpoenaed has faced criticism for their handling of child safety issues. X has been accused of not doing enough to combat child sexual exploitation on its platform, while Discord has been linked to cases of kidnapping, grooming, and sexual assault (6). Snap has also seen an increase in child exploitation since 2020, and Meta was sued for allegedly not doing enough to combat sex trafficking and exploitation (6).

The outcome of the hearing could have significant implications for the tech industry and its approach to child safety. The committee's focus on holding Big Tech accountable for their failure to police themselves suggests a potential shift towards stricter regulations and greater scrutiny of these companies' practices (3,6).

<h1>Tech CEOs Subpoenaed by Senate Judiciary Committee Over Online Child Safety Concerns</h1>
The Senate Judiciary Committee has issued subpoenas to the CEOs of Discord, Snap, and X (formerly known as Twitter) to testify at a hearing on online child sexual exploitation (1,2,3,4). The committee is also in talks with Meta and TikTok, with their respective CEOs, Mark Zuckerberg and Shou Zi Chew, expected to testify voluntarily (1,2,3,4).
The hearing, scheduled for December 6th, aims to address Big Tech's failures in protecting children online and inform legislative efforts to combat online child sexual exploitation (2,4). The committee has approved several bills since a previous hearing in February, including one to remove tech firms' immunity from liability under child sexual abuse material laws and others related to prevention and prosecution of online child exploitation crimes (5).
<blockquote>
"Big Tech has failed to police itself — at the expense of our kids," said Senator Dick Durbin, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee (6).
</blockquote>
The subpoenas were issued after Discord and X reportedly refused to accept service of the subpoenas, leading the committee to seek assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service to personally serve the subpoenas (1,2,3,4). The committee released copies of the subpoenas served to Snap's Evan Spiegel, Discord's Jason Citron, and X's Linda Yaccarino (2,5).
<blockquote>
"We promised Big Tech that they’d have their chance to explain their failures to protect kids. Now’s that chance," said Senator Lindsey Graham, top Republican on the committee (6).
</blockquote>
X has stated that they have been working in good faith to participate in the hearing on child protection online, emphasizing safety as their top priority (2,5). Snap's CEO has agreed to testify, while Meta and TikTok CEOs are expected to speak voluntarily (4). However, Meta and TikTok did not comment, while Discord and Snap did not immediately respond to requests for comment (2,5).
The news of the subpoenas comes amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on children's mental health and safety. Each of the companies subpoenaed has faced criticism for their handling of child safety issues. X has been accused of not doing enough to combat child sexual exploitation on its platform, while Discord has been linked to cases of kidnapping, grooming, and sexual assault (6). Snap has also seen an increase in child exploitation since 2020, and Meta was sued for allegedly not doing enough to combat sex trafficking and exploitation (6).
The outcome of the hearing could have significant implications for the tech industry and its approach to child safety. The committee's focus on holding Big Tech accountable for their failure to police themselves suggests a potential shift towards stricter regulations and greater scrutiny of these companies' practices (3,6).

Rolling Stone

TikTok, X, and Meta CEOs to Face Congressional Hearing Over Child Sexual Exploitation

US Marshals serve CEOs of X and Discord with congressional subpoenas ahead of Big Tech child safety hearing

Reuters

Discord, Snap and X CEOs subpoenaed to testify at US hearing on child exploitation

U.S. senators expect Meta, TikTok CEOs to testify at hearing on child sexual exploitation

Fox News

Senate Judiciary deploys Marshals on big tech bigwigs who dodged subpoenas

Fox Business

Congress subpoenas CEOs of Musk's X, Snap and Discord to testify before Christmas on kids' social media risks

Senate Judiciary Committee

Online Child Safety

Discord

Snap

TikTok

Subpoena

The Senate Judiciary Committee has subpoenaed the CEOs of Discord, Snap, and X to testify about online child safety. Meta and TikTok CEOs are expected to testify voluntarily.

Tech CEOs Subpoenaed by Senate Judiciary Committee Over Online Child Safety Concerns

Newsletter

Stay Connected