DIGGING DEEPER

Senate Intel Committee to Summon Google, Facebook for Russia Probe

Officials worry that Russian groups used social media to spread disinformation.

The Senate Intelligence Committee is requesting that Google executives speak to the panel as part of its investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election, Politico reported Wednesday. Federal officials have expressed concern that Russian government-linked groups tried to exploit social media and internet companies to spread disinformation during the election. It is unclear whether Google has yet to officially accepted the committee's request. The Hill additionally reported on Wednesday that the committee has “issued a request for Facebook to testify in an open hearing to examine how foreign actors may have used social media companies to influence the 2016 election.” That hearing is set for November 1, and Facebook confirmed it had received an investigation but did not say whether they will accept.