On Tuesday, Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg appeared before Congress to answer questions about the way the social media company handles user’s data and how it could have affected the 2016 elections. Zuckerberg apologized for Cambridge Analytica – the UK-based political research firm that gathered information on more than 80 million. “We didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake,” he said. “It was my mistake, and I’m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I’m responsible for what happens here.”
Filled with many awkward moments – including Zuckerberg saying he’d have to consult with his lawyers first – probably none were more uncomfortable to watch than Senator Ted Cruz grilling the 33-year-old millionaire. Cruz came prepared to defend conservative (and many times hateful) groups, like Diamond and Silk, and of course, Chick-fil-A.
“There are a great many Americans who I think are deeply concerned that Facebook and other tech companies are engaged in a pervasive pattern of bias and political censorship,” he said. “…In addition that, Facebook has initially shut down the Chic-fil-A appreciation day age, has blocked a post of a Fox News reporter, has blocked over two dozen Catholic pages and most recently blocked Trump supporters Diamond and Silk’s page, with 1.2 million Facebook followers, after determining their content and brand were, quote, ‘unsafe to the community.’ To a great many Americans that appears to be a pervasive pattern of political bias.”
To many, it seemed like Cruz had his priorities askew (Chick-fil-A > the data of millions of people compromised), and thus he was summarily clowned online. Check out a few reactions below.