Chairman Wheeler and Mark Zuckerberg Have Yet to Discuss Use of Internet by Terrorists and Gangs

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During a Federal Communications Commission oversight hearing in the House Communications Subcommittee on Nov 17, FCC Chairman Tom Wheeler pledged to call that day to talk with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg about the use of the Internet by terrorists and gangs. That was prompted by questions, in the wake of the Paris attacks and ongoing urban violence, about whether the FCC could to anything to disrupt social media or other Internet communications used by terrorists.

Apparently, the Chairman had indeed made the call, but had yet to connect with the Facebook founder, though the source added their staffers have engaged on the issue. But Chairman Wheeler made clear during the hearing that the FCC does not regulate edge providers, and apparently understands that Facebook works aggressively to make sure terrorists and terrorist groups are not using their site, removing content that supports them. Facebook's policy, "clarified" back in March in an update to its community standards, is that no organization involved in "terrorist activity or organized criminal activity" can have a Facebook page, in addition to removing any content that "expresses support for groups that are involved in [that] violent or criminal behavior. Supporting or praising leaders of those same organizations, or condoning their violent activities, is not allowed."


Chairman Wheeler and Mark Zuckerberg Have Yet to Discuss Use of Internet by Terrorists and Gangs