April 6, 2021 | 6:23 PM
Sen. Ed Markey and Rep. Lori Trahan are pressing Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg on his company’s intention to build a version of Instagram for children over concerns of privacy and safety.
The Massachusetts politicians signed a letter to Zuckerberg Monday, which was also signed by Connecticut senator Richard Blumenthal and Florida representative Kathy Castor. The signers are all Democrats.
“Given Facebook’s past failures to protect children and in light of evidence that using Instagram may pose a threat to young users’ wellbeing, we have serious concerns about this proposal,” the lawmakers wrote.
“Children are a uniquely vulnerable population online, and images of kids are highly sensitive data. Facebook has an obligation to ensure that any new platforms or projects targeting children put those users’ welfare first, and we are skeptical that Facebook is prepared to fulfil this obligation,” the letter continued.
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