Issue One urges Congress to hold Big Tech companies accountable following new Meta whistleblowers’ testimonies

In response to today’s hearing before the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology, and Law featuring witness testimonies from former Meta employees and new Meta whistleblowers Jason Sattizahn and Cayce Savage on how the company buried research showing its products harmed children, Issue One Vice President of Advocacy Alix Fraser issued the following statement:

“Jason Sattizahn’s and Cayce Savage’s brave testimonies make clear that Meta not only knows its products are dangerous for children and teens, but has deliberately suppressed research proving those harms while falsely marketing its platforms as ‘safe’ to the public. In truth, Meta’s virtual reality headsets are no safer than its other products — exposing kids to predators, harassment, and harmful content in immersive 3D worlds while the company looks the other way.

“Yet despite this evidence, Big Tech companies, like Meta, still enjoy sweeping immunity under Section 230 of the 1996 Communications Decency Act. This outdated shield blocks parents from seeking justice when dangerous products harm their children and allows tech giants to continue suppressing research and marketing these products with impunity.

“With Sattizahn and Savage joining other former high-level Meta executives like Frances Haugen, Arturo Bejar, and Sarah Wynn-Williams, the truth is undeniable. These whistleblowers have made it clear that Meta acted with reckless disregard for our children’s health and safety, our sensitive personal information, our national security, and our democracy. Their behaviour clearly demonstrates that they will never act in the best interest of Americans unless Congress takes action.

“Issue One urges Congress to act in a bipartisan manner to pass comprehensive kids’ online safety legislation and use commonsense bipartisan updates to Section 230 to hold Big Tech accountable for the design of its harmful products.”