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() The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform has invited the CEOs of the social media and tech platforms Discord, Steam, Twitch and Reddit to testify at a hearing October 8 on the radicalization of online users.
The committee announced the hearing in a press release Wednesday, noting that it is intended to examine the radicalization of users, “including instances of open incitement to commit politically motivated acts.” News of the hearing comes less than a week after conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated.
“In the wake of this tragedy, and amid other acts of politically motivated violence, Congress has a duty to oversee the online platforms that radicals have used to advance political violence,” committee Chairman James Comer said. “To prevent future radicalization and violence, the CEOs of Discord, Steam, Twitch and Reddit must appear before the Oversight Committee and explain what actions they will take to ensure their platforms are not exploited for nefarious purposes.”
This comes amid reports that Tyler Robinson, the suspected shooter in Kirk’s death, allegedly confessed to friends in an online chat group before being arrested. Testifying before a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing Tuesday, FBI Director Kash Patel said the agency was investigating “anyone and everyone” who was involved in a Discord chatroom with Robinson.