FILE - In this Feb. 11, 2015, file photo, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., speaks during an interview with The Associated about the CIA torture report, in her Capitol Hill office in Washington. Social media giants including Twitter, Yahoo, Facebook and Google are pushing back against Senate legislation that would require them to alert federal authorities of any terrorist activity. The Senate Intelligence Committee has included the requirement in a broader intelligence bill. The House didn’t include a similar provision in its bill. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File) (The Associated Press)
WASHINGTON – Social media giants including Twitter, Yahoo, Facebook and Google are pushing back against Senate legislation that would require them to alert federal authorities of any terrorist activity.
In private meetings on Capitol Hill, industry officials have told lawmakers that they already ban grisly content like beheadings and alert law enforcement if they suspect someone might get hurt.
But tech officials also say they worry that the legislation is too broad and would potentially put companies on the hook legally if they miss a tweet, video or blog that hints at an attack. They say law enforcement might get buried in false leads.
The Senate Intelligence Committee has included the requirement in a broader intelligence bill. The House didn't include a similar provision in its bill.
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