The US House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan has issued subpoenas to the chief executives of Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Facebook, and Instagram's parent company Meta Platforms and Microsoft. The subpoenas demand documents and communications about free-speech issues and allegations of cooperation between the government and tech companies to stifle free speech.
Jordan Accuses Tech Companies of Suppressing Conservative Speech
Jordan and other conservatives have accused the tech companies of suppressing conservative speech during the Trump administration and expanding to include colluding with the Biden administration. The White House and tech companies have rejected the allegations. Jordan's office stated that these subpoenas are the first step in holding Big Tech accountable.
Microsoft and Meta Respond to Subpoenas
Microsoft and Meta have responded to the subpoenas and stated that they have already begun producing documents. Microsoft also mentioned that it is engaged with the Committee and committed to working in good faith. The other three companies have yet to respond to the request for comment.
Republicans Focus on Big Tech Following Election Win
The Republicans who took control of the House of Representatives in January have made questions about Big Tech a top focus and have created a Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. Jordan set a March 23 deadline for the tech companies to turn over the demanded documents.
Panel Holds First Hearing on Anti-Conservative Bias Claims
Last week, the panel held its first hearing into Republican claims that the Justice Department and FBI show anti-conservative bias. This move was made following the FBI's discovery of hundreds of classified documents at former President Donald Trump's Florida resort. Jordan had written related letters to the tech companies in December, making similar demands, but the companies needed to adequately comply.
