During a highly anticipated Big Tech hearing on child exploitation online, Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, delivered a scathing rebuke to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Graham accused Zuckerberg and the companies under his control of having “blood on their hands,” referring to the tragic death of South Carolina state Rep. Brandon Guffey’s teen son, who committed suicide after falling victim to an Instagram sextortion scam. The senator’s comments garnered applause from the audience.
Graham highlighted the case of Rep. Guffey and his son Gavin, who was threatened by an extortion group from Nigeria operating through Instagram. Despite paying them, the threats continued, leading to Gavin’s tragic suicide. Graham condemned the perpetrators as “bastards” and expressed his frustration that social media companies like Meta are shielded from being held liable under Section 230 of Title 47 of the United States Code.
Comparing the regulation of cigarettes, tobacco, and firearms, Graham argued that it is time to repeal Section 230 and hold social media companies accountable. He also referred to the recent release of internal emails by Senators Richard Blumenthal and Marsha Blackburn, which showed Meta officials discussing the addition of employees focused on children’s well-being and safety.
Zuckerberg, in his opening statement, did not directly address Graham’s accusation of having “blood on his hands.” Instead, he emphasized the tools and features Meta has developed to empower parents to set time limits and monitor their teens’ activities on their platforms. He also cited a National Academies of Science report that found no causal link between social media use and negative mental health outcomes in adolescents.
Graham’s strong words reflect growing concerns about the influence and responsibility of big tech companies in protecting users, particularly vulnerable children, from exploitation and harm. The senator called for a regulatory body to oversee these powerful corporations, emphasizing the need for meaningful consumer protections.
Meta, formerly known as Facebook, has invested significant resources in safety and security, with around 40,000 employees dedicated to these areas. However, Graham argued that more needs to be done to address the evolving tactics of criminals and protect users effectively.
The hearing shed light on the ongoing debate surrounding the role of social media platforms in society and the need for stronger regulation to ensure the well-being and safety of users. As the discussion continues, the responsibility of tech giants like Meta and their executives will remain under scrutiny.
Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Digital, covering politics, crime, police, and more. She can be reached at [email protected] and on Twitter: @danimwallace. Stay updated on the latest from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews, and more political content by subscribing to her newsletter.
