Apple, Amazon, Twitter to testify before Senate on data privacy
Congress has more questions for the tech industry.
- She has a master's degree in journalism from Syracuse University.
The tech industry is headed back to DC in September.
Congress isn't done with Silicon Valley yet.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation is set to hold a hearing on Sept. 26 called "Examining Safeguards for Consumer Data Privacy."
"This hearing will provide leading technology companies and internet service providers an opportunity to explain their approaches to privacy, how they plan to address new requirements from the European Union and California, and what Congress can do to promote clear privacy expectations without hurting innovation," Sen. John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota who chairs the committee, said in a statement.
Among the tech executives summoned:
- Len Cali, senior vice president for global public policy at AT&T
- Andrew DeVore, vice president and associate general counsel at
Amazon
- Keith Enright, chief privacy officer at
Google
- Damian Kieran, global data protection officer and associate legal director at
Twitter
- Guy (Bud) Tribble, vice president for software technology at
Apple
- Rachel Welch, senior vice president for policy and external affairs at Charter Communications
Twitter confirmed that Kieran will be attending the hearing, while Charter confirmed that Welch will attend. AT&T said it looked forward to participating.
"We have long supported federal legislation to protect consumer privacy through a clear and consistent set of safeguards that apply equally to all platforms," said AT&T spokesman Jim Greer in an emailed statement.
Google didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Apple and Amazon declined to comment.
Tech executives have been beating a path to DC this year as Congress increasingly expresses interest in how social media companies work and data privacy is secured. In April, Facebook CEO and founder Mark Zuckerberg went before Congress, and last week, Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey made their way to Capitol Hill. The executives answered questions on topics ranging from election meddling to the potential silencing of conservative voices on social media.
First published Sept. 12, 7:26 a.m. PT.
Update, 8:18 a.m. PT: Adds responses from Apple and AT&T.
Update, 10:34 a.m. PT: Adds responses from Charter.
The Honeymoon is Over: Everything you need to know about why tech is under Washington's microscope.
Taking It to Extremes: Mix insane situations -- erupting volcanoes, nuclear meltdowns, 30-foot waves -- with everyday tech. Here's what happens.