Trump accuses social media companies of interfering in US elections

Updated: Wed, Sep 05, 2018
11:21 pm
PTI
RELATED NEWS
RBI to set up expert panel to examine its economic capital framework RBI to set up expert panel to examine its economic capital framework
RBI to set up expert panel to examine its economic capital framework RBI to set up expert panel to examine its economic capital framework
Amid Jet Airways crisis, Prabhu says management has to ensure private airline functions properly Amid Jet Airways crisis, Prabhu says management has to ensure private airline functions properly
Exit mechanism for banks under PCA crucial: Sanjeev Sanyal Exit mechanism for banks under PCA crucial: Sanjeev Sanyal
GE taps retired executive, names leaders for ailing power unit GE taps retired executive, names leaders for ailing power unit

US President Donald Trump Wednesday alleged that social media companies interfered in the 2016 American elections to help his presidential rival Hillary Clinton.

Trump's remarks came as top officials of social media companies on Wednesday testified before a Congressional committee on issues related to security and interference in elections.

Prominent among them are Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter chief executive officer Jack Dorsey.

"I think they (social media companies) already have," Trump told the conservative news website Daily Caller.

"I mean the true interference in the last election was that if you look at all, virtually all of those companies are super liberal companies in favor of Hillary Clinton," he said.

According to the report, Trump cautioned social media companies not to maintain a bias as it could one day be used against political causes that they prefer.

"Maybe I did a better job because I'm good with the Twitter and I'm good at social media, but the truth is they were all on Hillary Clinton's side, and if you look at what was going on with Facebook and with Google and all of it, they were very much on her side," he said.

In recent days, Trump has publicly spoken against social media companies.

"I think that Google and Facebook and Twitter, I think they treat conservatives and Republicans very unfairly. I could tell you that I have personal experience," Trump said recently.

Google, however, has denied these allegations.

In a written statement, Google chief legal officer Kent Walker promised to maintain efforts to prevent foreign interference in the US elections.

"Google remains deeply concerned about attempts to undermine democratic elections. As we promised the committee last year, we have now fulfilled all four of our commitments to provide increased transparency in election advertising," Walker said.

Trump defeated his rival and the 2016 presidential poll favourite Clinton to become the 45th President of the United States, succeeding Barack Obama

 

(This article has not been edited by Zeebiz editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. You can find out more by clicking this link

Close