Brian Fung | @[email protected]

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Twitter says it has "significantly limited" access to its internal tools after it learned that the high-profile hack earlier this month was the result of a phishing attack targeting a "small number of employees" — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

!!! — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Facebook’s Sandberg takes a Q about #StopHateForProfit, saying when a company is subjected to a boycott, it’s often because the company is thought to oppose the boycotters. “That’s not true at all here.” Boycott organizers said today FB hasn’t met their demands & will continue. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Zuckerberg again tweaks government officials over pandemic response, saying “there’s currently no end in sight… It is incredibly disappointing, because it seems like the US could have avoided this current surge in cases if our government had handled this better.” — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Of course, Zuck couldn’t make this point without also implicitly acknowledging how vital and dominant Facebook is in advertising. He’s essentially daring policymakers and asking them if they really want to kill the golden goose that keeps them in office. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Zuckerberg is really leaning hard into the argument that Facebook supports small business. Making it harder to target ads on Facebook would just ruin small business, he says: “Is that really what policymakers want in the middle of a pandemic and recession?" — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Zuckerberg reports that Facebook now has 9 million advertisers (I believe the last publicly reported figure was around 8 million, in January?) — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Kinda funny in light of that Zuckerberg email where he said (apparently jokingly) “it’ll be a while before we can buy Google." — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Google’s Pichai was just asked about his views on the tech regulatory environment. He says “we’ve engaged constructively across jurisdictions” and that in all of its sectors, Google either expands choice or lowers prices. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

@AlexJamesFitz yo dawg — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Facebook provides some Q3 guidance reflecting the #StopHateForProfit ad boycott, essentially claiming “nothing to see here” (and lumps it in with other factors) https://t.co/bnraMSxBU0 https://t.co/yVOTeeu3U1 — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

On Google’s earnings call, Sundar Pichai’s first remark is: “It’s certianly been a busy week, and I’m glad to be here.” As opposed to… where, Sundar? — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

This is neither here nor there, but I couldn’t help but chuckle at this Facebook employee’s assessment of Google+ https://t.co/7IGxyBww1b https://t.co/URKhZec4vX — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

RT @oliverdarcy: Day after Big Tech antitrust hearing on Capitol Hill, @jack weighs in: https://t.co/372UaWf1zr — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

@TonyaJoRiley This is genius — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Had to step away to do some liveblogging and an interview but catching up on Cicilline’s closing remarks. He argued the companies have “monopoly power” and that “some need be broken up; all need to be regulated.” He also compared the four CEOs to Rockefeller and Carnegie. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

I think Jeff Bezos calling social media a “nuance destruction machine” may be the quote everyone will remember coming out of this hearing. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

All you people who had “Mr. _____ you’re on mute” in your drinking game… IT HAPPENED — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Just coming back to this but… I’m again surprised to see Zuckerberg reaching for “we model our political ad policies after FCC broadcaster obligations” as if that will do anything but push people to imagine a Facebook that’s actually FCC-regulated — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

The viral video! — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

We’re entering the final round of questioning, and Cicilline anticipates we’ll be done within the hour. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Rep. Armstrong’s questioning on aggregate data seems small but I think will end up being a big deal. The upshot is that Amazon does use “aggregate data” to benefit its own products, but then describes data as "aggregated" even when it encompasses as few as *two* sellers. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

I think after this is all over I’m going to have to spend a whole day or two rewatching this hearing to really digest it. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

I should add though that while Zuckerberg has been very comfortable engaging with lawmakers so far, the emails that have been introduced could become problems for Facebook down the road. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

As with previous hearings, Cicilline, Jayapal and Neguse have shown themselves to have the strongest grasp of the issues. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

My quick impressions thus far: Bezos has done himself the least favors Cook has gotten off pretty lightly Zuck has received much of the attention but seems the most comfortable Pichai is struggling with how to deflect all the allegations of anti-conservative bias — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Cicilline just approved a third round of questioning so we’ll continue to be here a while. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

Bezos acknowledges that sometimes Amazon does sell its devices “below cost.” — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

GOP lawmakers clearly want the media to cover their claims of anti-conservative bias as equivalent in gravity and stature to allegations of antitrust violations. But while the antitrust issues are accompanied by emails and documents, the GOP’s evidence is largely anecdotal. — PolitiTweet.org

Brian Fung | @[email protected] @b_fung

We’re back to Facebook and Instagram. Instagram has "certainly grown beyond our wildest expectations,” Zuckerberg tells Rep. Neguse. — PolitiTweet.org