Mark Zuckerberg Congress testimony live – how to watch online stream of Facebook data scandal inquiry today
MARK Zuckerberg is set to testify in front of US Congress again later today, where he'll have to answer tough questions about Facebook's recent data breach.
The billionaire boss will be asked how and why Facebook allowed the personal info of 87million users to be given away without their permission – and we've got all the details on how to watch it live online.
Mark Zuckerberg US Congress appearance – what's actually happening?
In March, it emerged that Facebook had given away data for millions of users without their permission.
This data was then sold on to UK firm Cambridge Analytica, which is believed to have helped on the Brexit and Trump campaigns.
Dozens of countries announced investigations into Facebook as a result – including the US.
That's why CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg has headed to Capitol Hill in Washington DC to testify before US Congress.
He's going on the record as lawmakers grill him over his company's dodgy behaviour.
Mark Zuckerberg US Congress hearing time – when does Zuck testify?
Zuck is scheduled to attend two different sessions.
The first was a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation committees.
It took place on Tuesday, April 10, and began at 2.15pm (ET) – that's 7.15pm UK time. And frankly, it was pathetic.
The second hearing is with the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
That's coming a day later on Wednesday, April 11, and kicks off at 10am (ET) – or 3pm UK time.
Mark Zuckerberg Congress hearing livestream – how to watch Zuck testify live online
Congressional committee hearings are broadcast on the respective committee websites.
You can watch today's hearing here (only once it begins, of course):
Mark Zuckerberg Congress committee testimony – what to expect
Zuck released his written testimony before his first appearance, which was read out before he takes questions.
In it, he said: "We didn't take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake.
"It was my mistake, and I'm sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I'm responsible for what happens here."
Facebook Data Breach – what happened?
Here's what you need to know...
- A personality quiz app obtained data for 270,000 willing Facebook users
- But it also sucked up info on all of their Facebook friends
- Facebook said this allowed data for 87 million users to be sold on to UK research firm Cambridge Analytica
- Cambridge Analytica helps politicians and lobby groups create propaganda
- The data was supposedly used to boost the Brexit campaign and get Trump into the White House
- Facebook is said to have known about the data breach since 2015
- The social network asked companies with the data to delete it, but didn't enforce the rule
- The Guardian revealed the incident in an exposé thanks to Cambridge Analytica whistleblower Christopher Wylie
- Many countries are now investigating whether Facebook has broken the law
- It's made worse by Facebook's April admission that 'most' of the site's 2billion users have had their data hoovered up by outsiders
- Mark Zuckerberg is due to appear before US Congress to testify about the matter soon
- But the billionaire Facebook boss has refused to accept an invite from UK MPs to explain himself in Britain
He also noted: "It's clear now that we didn't do enough to prevent these tools from being used for harm.
"That goes for fake news, foreign interference in elections, and hate speech, as well as developers and data privacy."
And sadly, Congress let Zuck off pretty easy.
That's despite the fact that a former Obama administration official said that Congress is like "theatre", and added that they are "going to want to inflict pain".
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But he's now up for a second-round hearing, and lawmakers may press Zuckerberg to accept some kind of regulatory framework that will govern Facebook – and potentially other social media sites – going forward.
Meanwhile, Zuckerberg – who is famously awkward in public appearances – will be doing his best to appear humble and sincere.
Facebook has reportedly hired a team of experts (including a former assistant to President George W. Bush) to give him "a crash course in humility and charm".
And if the first appearance is anything to go by, it's certainly worked...
Are you excited to watch Zuckerberg get grilled over his company's privacy blunder? Let us know in the comments!
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