Facebook Founder Mark Zuckerberg Takes Back Post-Election Comment
Facebook Founder Regrets 'Dismissive' Remark
Social media mogul Mark Zuckerberg expressed his regrets on a remark he made about Facebook's possible effect on the U.S. elections last year. This admission comes as the social media platform hands over information on their possible role in the alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential race.
As his company cooperates with the ongoing investigation into a series of Facebook ads bought by dubious groups said to originate from Russia, Zuckerberg took the time to address his previous comments last year.
In his public message, Zuckerberg addressed a tweet by President Trump, who claimed that Facebook has always been against him. After some insight into the multiple factions that Facebook plays host to, the CEO expressed regret at his earlier statement
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"After the election, I made a comment that I thought the idea misinformation on Facebook changed the outcome of the election was a crazy idea," Zuckerberg wrote.
"Calling that crazy was dismissive and I regret it. This is too important an issue to be dismissive," he continued, adding that Facebook will continue to work at building an online platform for everyone.
By the time that Trump has been established as the winner in last year's election, the Facebook founder was somewhat dismissive of suggestions that the social media platform had a part to play in the surprise upset.
At the time, he described the notion that fake news on Facebook could have such an impact as "pretty crazy idea," according to The Guardian.
Zuckerberg's statement on Wednesday came as various social media platforms were invited to testify before Congress. The Senate Intelligence Committee will hold its hearing on Nov. 1, and their inquiry will mostly cover the roles Facebook, Google and Twitter may have on an alleged Russian meddling into last year's elections, according to Recode.
Aside from the hearing on November, the House Intelligence Committee is also inviting tech companies for their own segment of the investigation. "In the coming month, we will hold an open hearing with representatives from tech companies in order to better understand how Russia used online tools and platforms to sow discord in and influence our election," committee Representatives said.
