GOP President "deeply disappointed" Zuckerberg refused to testify at the hearing

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Sen. Roger WickerRoger Frederick Wicker: automakers agree to install systems to reduce the number of deaths in a car overheating (R-Miss.) Said that he was "extremely disappointed" Facebook CEO Mark ZuckerbergMark Elliot ZuckerbergFacebook unveils a feature to combat misinformation on vaccines Facebook commits M for a project to detect the launch of the US Deepfakes Facebook dating site MORE refused to participate in an upcoming hearing on violence and extremism online, Politico said Friday.

In the letter of 4 September, Wicker allegedly urged Zuckerberg to "personally participate" in the congressional hearing, Politico said.

"As a dominant social networking platform, Facebook plays an important role in the communications market," wrote Wicker. "Your direct engagement as Facebook's general manager on this issue will be of great help in our efforts to protect communities and improve public safety."

Wicker reportedly said in the letter that he and Zuckerberg had already talked about how Facebook was using to suppress the extremist content of its platform, reported Politico.

Facebook and Wicker's office did not immediately respond to The Hill's requests for comment.

The letter reportedly told the Senate majority leader Mitch McConnellAddison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellPompeo presses on the Senate led by Kansas media The progressive group targets McConnell with a new gun advertisement A military school helped by McConnell among those who lose funds for the benefit of the Trump wall PLUS (R-Ky.) Called on the Senate Commerce Commission to join a larger effort to fight violence following multiple deadly mass shootings in recent weeks.

In the case of a shooting incident last month in El Paso (Texas), the alleged gunman confessed to having targeted the "Mexicans" and allegedly wrote a white nationalist manifesto, which was posted on the courier board anonymous 8chan, before shooting 22 people and wound dozens of other people. .

The owner of 8chan, linked to three mass shootings by so-called white supremacists, testified Thursday at Capitol Hill and defended his website behind closed doors.

In June, Facebook, Twitter and Google defended their efforts to combat extremist content and disinformation online before House lawmakers, who expressed their dissatisfaction with the plans of the tech giants.