Richard Blumenthal

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

We know FBI agents made false statements during the Nassar investigation. We know they were referred for prosecution, but don’t know why DOJ declined. Now—DOJ is conducting a new review. Regardless of outcome, DOJ must explain itself. Survivors & American people deserve to know. https://t.co/6epc14mkEZ — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Facebook needs to come clean & change its game. Real disclosure, accountability, protection of kids, & privacy—for starters. Meta is meaningless without measurable action. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Cosmetics—like changing a name—are no cure for toxic content or addictive algorithms. Saving face is no substitute for saving kids. https://t.co/O0JLR99xVp — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

With a history of public service as a judge on the CT Superior Court & an assistant public defender, Williams will undoubtedly provide an underrepresented & much-needed perspective to our federal judiciary. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Omar Williams is an expert & accomplished litigator & advocate. Today’s bipartisan vote underscores the measured, insightful jurist that Williams is & will continue to be. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

If Big Tech’s declarations of good intentions were really real they would openly support legislation like the KIDS Act & #COPPA update to protect children & prevent them from being dragged to dark places online. Now is the moment for bipartisan action & meaningful accountability. https://t.co/IB6E5g7Njh — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

On this day 3 years ago we experienced the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in America’s history at the Tree of Life Synagogue. 11 precious lives were lost & many more forever changed. May their memories be a blessing & a reminder to speak out against hate & violence. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

After visiting Camp Upshur in Quantico, I still have significant worries about the pace of Afghan refugee resettlement. We must plan for reality. Yesterday, I shared my concerns with senior DOD officials. https://t.co/hST01Kz465 — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Today’s bipartisan confirmation of Sarala Nagala is a testament to her commitment to public service & fidelity to the rule of law. Her experience as a federal prosecutor fighting the evils of human trafficking & hate crimes will have an immediate impact on our federal bench. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Amtrak’s current forced arbitration & class action ban policies are unjust & unfair. Legal accountability will be a powerful incentive to safer practices. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Train passengers are often unaware they’ve signed away their legal rights with the purchase of a ticket until the worst happens. The Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act will restore vital legal rights to the travelers who are injured on Amtrak trains & seek just redress. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

HAPPENING NOW: Social Media companies have repeatedly prioritized profits over children’s privacy & safety. I’m joining @SenMarkey to talk about the urgent legislative action Congress can take to protect kids & teens online. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Projects like the Great Meadows Marsh restoration are imperative to improving the Long Island Sound & mitigating climate change's impacts. I'll continue to fight for swift passage of the bipartisan infrastructure bill so our state can keep protecting these natural environments. https://t.co/Oq4CJVOu6n — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

The time for platitudes & bromides is over. Expressions of vague intentions to do the right thing will no longer suffice. There needs to be accountability for Big Tech. https://t.co/yDaVDSHJcO — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Social Security is a sacred commitment made to all Americans & a promise that must be fulfilled. @RepJohnLarson, @ChrisVanHollen & my #Secure2100 Act will keep this vital lifeline solvent while expanding benefits & protections for millions of Americans. https://t.co/AMh5ttQTZa — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

We need stronger rules to protect children online, meaningful transparency, & real accountability. I want a market where the competition is to protect children, not to exploit them. Not a race to the bottom, but to the top—with enforceable rules of the road. 9 — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

While I’m slightly encouraged by there being some openness regarding regulation & commitments to allow independent experts access to these platforms, that is a tepid response to a problem that has reached its boiling point. 8/ — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

All of this research, facts, & disclosures send a message to America’s parents: you cannot trust these apps with your children. Nor should parents alone have to bear the burden of being the Big Tech gatekeepers. There is so much more these companies can do to keep kids safe. 7/ — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Again, my staff & I also conducted our own test & found illegal & dangerous steroids openly marketed on TikTok. 6/ https://t.co/sJm4Nil6kN — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Another CT parent wrote how their son was fed a constant stream of TikTok videos related to disordered eating & calorie counting after looking up athletic training.  Research has shown that eating disorders & body comparison significantly affects young men on social media. 5/ — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

I’ve heard from parents across CT about the danger of these apps. Nora’s 11 yr old daughter was shown extreme Youtube & TikTok videos about weight loss, eventually leading to an anorexia diagnosis. Luckily, she is now in treatment, but the emotional/physical costs were high. 4/ — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Right now these companies are basically grading their own homework. They’re self-evaluating their own effects on kids when it comes to addiction & harms. Based upon their troubling track record, this status quo inspires little trust & is unacceptable. 3/ — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

These dangerous self-reinforcing & perpetuating vortexes of content are easy to fall into. My office & I did our own research. After just a few hrs of watching weight loss & eating disorder content on YouTube, our homepage almost exclusively recommended these types of videos. 2/ https://t.co/qX31V2iKfO — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

TikTok, Snapchat & YouTube were in the hot seat before my subcommittee today. Here’s my recap. THREAD: These apps drive kids down algorithmic rabbit holes that lead to dangerous places, prey upon their insecurities & encourage more destructive hate, eating disorders&bullying. 1/ — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

Having worked with her over many years, I know first-hand her energetic dedication to cracking down on robocalls & other abuses, & expanding broadband access. I am especially proud of her deep CT roots as a native of West Hartford & graduate of Wesleyan University. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

She knows better than anyone else the vital role the Commission plays in protecting consumers & closing the digital divide by connecting Americans to essential services. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

.@JRosenworcel is a star—supremely expert & experienced, steadfast & committed as an advocate for consumers & competitors. I look forward to working with soon-to-be Chair Rosenworcel as she continues her bold leadership of the FCC. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

LIVE: My Consumer Protection subcommittee is raising concerns & seeking answers about what TikTok, YouTube, & Snapchat are doing to address the dangers children face online. Big Tech must stop putting profits before people. https://t.co/AKH97boKX8 — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

These disclosures demand the full release of the company’s research on the harms to teens & even to our democracy. This resoundingly adds to the drumbeat of calls for reform, rules to protect teens, & real transparency & accountability from Facebook & its Big Tech peers. — PolitiTweet.org

Richard Blumenthal @SenBlumenthal

These damning documents underscore that Facebook leadership chronically ignored serious internal alarms, choosing to put profits over people. Facebook is obviously unable to police itself as its powerful algorithms drive deeply harmful content to children & fuel hate. — PolitiTweet.org