The attack on the Capitol was blamed on Trump, not Facebook, according to Zuckerberg.

Facebook Chief Executive Officer Sheryl Sandberg famously downplayed her company’s role in the day’s tragic events, which left five people dead, in an interview with Reuters six days after the attack on the US Capitol.

“I believe these events were primarily organized on sites that do not have our abilities to stop hate, do not have our values, and do not have our transparency,” Sandberg said at the time, praising Facebook’s recent and inadequate attempts to delete QAnon, conspiracies, and militant militias.

Sandberg’s denial was brought up again during Thursday’s hearing with the House Energy and Commerce Committee, but Facebook still didn’t have a response.
In his opening remarks, Zuckerberg said that Facebook “did our part” to defend the US election, blaming former President Donald Trump’s conduct.

“I believe the former president should be held accountable for his comments, and those who violated the law should be held accountable for their actions,” wrote Zuckerberg.

When asked whether Facebook “bears any blame” for the spread of election disinformation and the Stop the Steal campaign, Zuckerberg dodged the question, failing to respond directly.
“How do you refuse to acknowledge that Facebook played a key role in the recruiting, preparation, and execution of the assault on the Capitol?”
Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA) raised the issue.

When pressed again, Zuckerberg deferred liability.

“I believe the blame lies with the people who broke the law and carried out the insurgency,” he said.
“Secondarily, I believe that those who spread the material, including the president but also others, through repetitive rhetoric over time, claiming that the election was rigged and encouraging people to mobilize, bear primary responsibility.” Doyle was having none of it, claiming that Facebook had “supercharged” the dangerous rhetoric that had been spreading like wildfire on the site prior to the January 6 attack.
According to Doyle, the FBI discovered that insurgents used Facebook during the attack’s “recruitment, preparation, and execution” phases.

“Will you admit today that Facebook groups in particular played a role in fomenting the extremism that we saw, and that contributed to the Capitol siege?” asked Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), referring to the Sandberg interview.
Schakowsky had enquired.
Doyle was having none of it, claiming that Facebook had “supercharged” the dangerous rhetoric that had been spreading like wildfire on the site prior to the January 6 attack.
According to Doyle, the FBI discovered that insurgents used Facebook during the attack’s “recruitment, preparation, and execution” phases.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) directly mentioned the Sandberg interview, asking Zuckerberg, “Will you agree today that Facebook groups in particular played a role in fomenting the extremism that we saw, and that led to the Capito?” Zuckerberg began, but Schakowsky interrupted him and told him to get to the point.
“Certainly, there was material on our services,” Zuckerberg said in a hazy manner.
“And from that standpoint, I agree we still have work to do to improve our programs and moderation.”

Insurgent leaders used Facebook to connect and search for lawmakers on the day of the attack, in addition to the fact that the Stop the Steal campaign swelled to immense numbers in Facebook groups.

According to FBI affidavits, militia members who plotted to seize or kill Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer last year have used the site to coordinate and communicate.

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