TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube on Monday distanced themselves from Facebook during hours of questioning from U.S. lawmakers concerning how their app may potentially harm young users’ safety.
Snapchat does not belong in the same category as Facebook, explained Snap global-public-policy vice-president Jennifer Stout, who represented the social media platform: “Snapchat was built as an antidote to social media. In fact, we describe ourselves as a camera company.”
TikTok, the social media app that is facing accusations that its algorithm serves harmful content to young users, also defended itself. “TikTok is not a social network based on followers. You watch TikToks, you create them,” said Michael Beckerman, head of TikTok Public Policy.
However, the companies have been criticized for staying away from Facebook as it is not a form of defense.
They were told “Being different from Facebook is not a defense. That bar is in the gutter. It’s not a defense to say that you are different.” U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal further explained, “We’re hearing the same stories of harm. The problem is clear – big tech preys on children and teens to make more money. Everything you do is to add users, especially kids, and keep them on your apps. This is for big tech a big tobacco moment. It is a moment of reckoning. There will be accountability – this time is different.”