Statement for the Record at Energy & Commerce Hearing on Social Media Disinformation

OTI submitted a statement for the record in the House Energy & Commerce Committee's hearing entitled Disinformation Nation: Social Media's Role in Promoting Extremism and Misinformation. The statement attached our recent reports Protecting the Vote and How Internet Platforms Are Combating Disinformation and Misinformation in the Age of COVID-19.

This past year, we have seen the real world impact of online disinformation and misinformation. Furthermore, organized efforts, including the January 6 attacks on the Capitol, continue to promote distrust in our democratic institutions. It is therefore vital that the public is armed with accurate and reliable information. Misinformation and disinformation have the power to uproot democracy and democratic values, and internet platforms must do more to combat the spread of this harmful content. These companies must also provide greater transparency and accountability around these efforts, in order to ensure that they are safeguarding user rights and acting in the best interest of the public.