Different views about Mark Zuckerberg’s congressional testimony were formed on Twitter. I choose and search the hashtag #Zuckerbergtestimony to present different evaluation about the testimony which might decide the future direction of social media regulation enforced by lawmakers.
This tweet praised the significance of this testimony and affirmed the value of questions proposed by lawmakers.
Fascinating to watch #Zuckerbergtestimony – these tough questions will change the way we use the internet- will apply as much to ALL tech companies- including Google & Twitter in these orwellian times
— barkha dutt (@BDUTT) April 10, 2018
This tweet specifically complimented Ted Cruz on his job in forcing Zuckerberg to admit Facebook has a bias problem.
.@tedcruz doing a phenomenal job cross examining Zuckerberg, who admitted conservative pages have been shut down. He claimed he was unaware if any major leftist groups have ever been suppressed (…they haven’t).
Facebook has a bias problem. #Zuckerbergtestimony
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) April 10, 2018
However, most of the tweets under the hashtag #Zuckerbergtestimony question the value of questions proposed by lawmakers and further doubt their qualification in making regulatory laws about the internet. For example, this tweet described the overall doubt about Senators.
Listening to the #ZuckerbergTestimony, it is obvious that many of these Senators know nothing about Facebook or even basic 21st Century technology. And they didn’t bother to prepare either. But unlike the pundits on TV, I don’t find this to be charming. I find it to be pathetic.
— Greg Shugar (@GregShugar) April 10, 2018
This tweet gave a specific example to doubt the value of the questions.
"how do you run a business model that doesn't charge your users for your product?"… "senator, we run ads". Tryin his hardest not to laugh. #Zuckerbergtestimony I get it but we need these senators to ask more educated questions…
— Marcella Flores (@marcellaflores1) April 10, 2018
This tweet mocked the Senators’ knowledge about the Internet.
Senators Googling “what is AI?” after today’s #Zuckerbergtestimony pic.twitter.com/Tx0Kr8oNzH
— Blake Neiman (@13lake) April 10, 2018
Not limited to this testimony, this tweet stressed the seriousness of the adverse consequences caused by the old lawmakers’ lack of experience and understanding of modern technology.
Congress’ overall lack of experience & understanding of modern day technology issues is a big problem. Part of the reason we need young people to keep running for office. #Zuckerbergtestimony #Zuckhearings
— Jeremy Bird (@jeremybird) April 10, 2018
Overall, on the one hand, people tend to agree that internet media platforms should be regulated in some ways; on the other hand, the ability of lawmakers to regulate is doubted.