The House Oversight Committee has summoned the CEOs of Discord, Twitch, Reddit, and Steam to testify on October 8 about their platforms’ alleged roles in online radicalization and political violence.
Committee chairman Rep. James Comer cited the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk and “other acts of politically motivated violence” as reasons for the hearing.
“To prevent future radicalization and violence, the CEOs… must appear before the Oversight Committee and explain what actions they will take to ensure their platforms are not exploited for nefarious purposes,” Comer said.
Discord confirmed to TechCrunch it will participate, noting:
“We continuously engage with policymakers on these critical issues and look forward to continuing this important dialogue next month.”
Reddit told Reuters it was investigating claims linking its platform to Kirk’s killing but said it has “strong policies against hateful content and content that incites, encourages, glorifies or calls for violence.”
Kirk, a prominent conservative figure and Trump ally, was fatally shot last week while speaking at Utah Valley University. The suspect, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, allegedly confessed in a Discord chat shortly before his arrest. Authorities say the bullets used were engraved with memes and video game references, underscoring the role of online culture in the case.
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The October hearing will put the spotlight on how major online platforms are handling extremism, radicalization, and digital communities tied to violence.
