By Ryan Tracy

More than an hour into the hearing, Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen's testimony appears to be motivating lawmakers. Sen. John Thune (R., S.D.) noted a proposal designed to give consumers a choice in how social-media apps filter content. Senate Commerce Committee Chairwoman Maria Cantwell (D., Wash.) asked for Ms. Haugen's feedback on a proposed law designed to boost privacy protections, saying that it also includes some provisions for FTC oversight of the use of algorithms.

Sen. Ed Markey (D., Mass.) asked for Ms. Haugen's endorsement of proposals designed to make social media less toxic for teens.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D., Conn.) and Sen. Jerry Moran (R., Kan.), who have for years been discussing a privacy proposal, agreed during the hearing they need to get back to work on it.

Ms. Haugen offered to Mr. Moran her own ideas, including an independent government agency that would employ experts to study or audit the impact of large social media platforms. She said that if Congress moves to change Section 230 liability protections, it should distinguish between user-generated content and business decisions.

"Facebook should not get a pass on choices it makes to prioritize virality and growth and reactiveness over public safety," she said.

The difficulty for lawmakers to date is that a broad coalition of them hasn't coalesced around a single bill that could clear Congress. Ms. Haugen is hoping her testimony might help get them focused.

"I would simply say, 'Let's get to work,'" Mr. Thune said.

Write to Ryan Tracy at ryan.tracy@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 05, 2021 12:41 ET (16:41 GMT)

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