Rep. Pallone to Tech Giants: Are Foreign Agents Using Social Media Platforms to Influence the Kavanaugh Nomination?

House Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) wrote to the CEOs of Alphabet, Facebook and Twitter following concerning reports of Russia-linked efforts to influence the national debate over the Supreme Court nomination of Judge Brett Kavanaugh. In his letters, Ranking Member Pallone requests answers on the companies’ efforts to safeguard the American political system and to combat foreign interference campaigns on their platforms. "As Americans discuss critical issues—including the nomination, allegations of sexual assault, and victim’s rights—using your platforms, I urge you to protect our nation from foreign agents sowing discord and promoting tribalism," he wrote. As part of his inquiry, Rep. Pallone is requesting an update on the tech companies’ efforts to combat foreign influence campaigns and answers to a series of questions, requesting responses to his letter no later than Oct 18, 2018.