HAUGEN URGES LAWMAKERS TO AVERT IMPASSE ON SOCIAL MEDIA LAWS

Ex-Facebook employee and whistleblower Frances Haugen implored lawmakers Wednesday to avert the usual congressional stalemates as they weigh proposals to curb abuses on social media platforms by limiting the companies’free-speech protections against legal liability.

Still, Haugen urged caution in making changes to the 1996 law that provides legal protection both for content the platforms carry and for companies removing postings they deem offensive. She cited unintended consequences from a previous congressional revision.

“I encourage you to move forward with eyes open to the consequences of reform,”Haugen testified at a hearing by a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee.“I encourage