Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg says he regrets bending to what he felt was pressure from the Biden administration to "censor" material on Facebook and Instagram during the coronavirus epidemic.
In a letter sent to a US House committee chair, he said that top officials—including some from the White House—pressed Meta to remove material in 2021.
The White House has justified its activities, claiming they promoted "responsible actions to protect public health and safety".
Following the FBI's warning of "a potential Russian disinformation" effort, Mr Zuckerberg also revealed his company momentarily "demoted" materials about Joe Biden's son, Hunter, ahead of the 2020 election.
Mr. Zuckerberg said, the material did not fit the nature of such an operation.
Regarding the Covid material, Mr Zuckerberg said: "In 2021, high officials from the Biden administration, including the White House, regularly pressed our workers for months to restrict some Covid-19 content, including comedy and satire.
"We made certain decisions today that, looking back and with fresh knowledge, we would not make now.
"I regret that we were not more outspoken about it; I believe the government pressure was inappropriate."
Should something like this occur in the future, Mr Zuckerberg stated he and Meta would be ready to "push back".
His letter went to Jim Jordan, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, who has been looking at content moderation on internet sites. Republicans claimed the letter was a "big win for free speech".
The White House stayed by its actions in a statement sent to the website Politico.
"Our position has been clear and consistent: while making independent decisions about the information they present, tech companies and other private actors should consider the effects their activities have on the American people," it stated.
Hunter Biden controversies
Mr. Zuckerberg's remarks about Hunter Biden center on the narrative of a laptop left behind by the president's son at a Delaware repair shop, originally published in the New York Post.
Emails discovered on the device alleged by the newspaper indicated his company overseas had shaped US foreign policy under his father's vice- presidency.
The president and his family have maintained no wrongdoing.
As several social media companies blocked the material, the narrative evolved into a prominent right-wing talking point in the US and a cause of conflict.
"In retrospect, we shouldn't have demoted the story," Mr. Zuckerberg penned.
"We have revised our procedures and policies to ensure this never recurs."
Mr. Zuckerberg also mentioned he had no intention of contributing more to the assistance of electoral infrastructure.
Through his charitable Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, he gave $400 million (£302 million) in 2020 meant to support government offices running the election amid the epidemic.
But false material quickly went viral on social media accusing Mr. Zuckerberg of deliberately exploiting a loophole to evade maximum donation caps in an attempt to land Mr. Biden elected.
Mr. Zuckerberg claimed his contributions were "designed to be non-partisan".
"Still, I know some people believe this effort favored one party over the other even though the studies I have read contradict one other.
"My goal is to be neutral and not play a role on way or other - or even appear to be playing a role - so I don't plan to make a similar contribution this cycle."
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Did The Biden-Harris Administration Pressure The Company To Censor Americans?
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Meta founder Mark Zuckerberg says he regrets bending to what he felt was pressure from the Biden administration to "censor" material on Facebook and Instagram during the coronavirus epidemic.
In a letter sent to a US House committee chair, he said that top officials—including some from the White House—pressed Meta to remove material in 2021.
The White House has justified its activities, claiming they promoted "responsible actions to protect public health and safety".
Following the FBI's warning of "a potential Russian disinformation" effort, Mr Zuckerberg also revealed his company momentarily "demoted" materials about Joe Biden's son, Hunter, ahead of the 2020 election.
Mr. Zuckerberg said, the material did not fit the nature of such an operation.
Regarding the Covid material, Mr Zuckerberg said: "In 2021, high officials from the Biden administration, including the White House, regularly pressed our workers for months to restrict some Covid-19 content, including comedy and satire.
"We made certain decisions today that, looking back and with fresh knowledge, we would not make now.
"I regret that we were not more outspoken about it; I believe the government pressure was inappropriate."
Should something like this occur in the future, Mr Zuckerberg stated he and Meta would be ready to "push back".
His letter went to Jim Jordan, the House Judiciary Committee chairman, who has been looking at content moderation on internet sites. Republicans claimed the letter was a "big win for free speech".
The White House stayed by its actions in a statement sent to the website Politico.
"Our position has been clear and consistent: while making independent decisions about the information they present, tech companies and other private actors should consider the effects their activities have on the American people," it stated.
Hunter Biden controversies
Mr. Zuckerberg's remarks about Hunter Biden center on the narrative of a laptop left behind by the president's son at a Delaware repair shop, originally published in the New York Post.
Emails discovered on the device alleged by the newspaper indicated his company overseas had shaped US foreign policy under his father's vice- presidency.
The president and his family have maintained no wrongdoing.
As several social media companies blocked the material, the narrative evolved into a prominent right-wing talking point in the US and a cause of conflict.
"In retrospect, we shouldn't have demoted the story," Mr. Zuckerberg penned.
"We have revised our procedures and policies to ensure this never recurs."
Mr. Zuckerberg also mentioned he had no intention of contributing more to the assistance of electoral infrastructure.
Through his charitable Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, he gave $400 million (£302 million) in 2020 meant to support government offices running the election amid the epidemic.
But false material quickly went viral on social media accusing Mr. Zuckerberg of deliberately exploiting a loophole to evade maximum donation caps in an attempt to land Mr. Biden elected.
Mr. Zuckerberg claimed his contributions were "designed to be non-partisan".
"Still, I know some people believe this effort favored one party over the other even though the studies I have read contradict one other.
"My goal is to be neutral and not play a role on way or other - or even appear to be playing a role - so I don't plan to make a similar contribution this cycle."
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Did The Biden-Harris Administration Pressure The Company To Censor Americans?