Sen Blumenthal asks Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify about Instagram's impact on kids

Sen Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) urged Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to participate in a Congressional hearing on Instagram and its impact on kids in a letter October 20. The Chair of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Data Security cited the testimony of Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen and the Wall Street Journal's reports on Facebook as cause for the CEO's appearance before his subcommittee. "These revelations all paint a picture of a powerful corporation that has failed to act to protect teens because it prioritized its financial bottom line over safety," Blumenthal stated. "I am disappointed that Facebook has been unwilling to be fully transparent with me, other members of Congress, and the public, and appears to have concealed vital information from us about teen mental health and addiction." The senator also left open the option for Zuckerberg to send Instagram chief Adam Mosseri instead. "It is urgent and necessary for you or Mr. Adam Mosseri to testify to set the record straight and provide members of Congress and parents with a plan on how you are going to protect our kids," said Blumenthal.