The House Oversight Committee has summoned the chief executives of Discord, Twitch, Reddit and Steam to testify on 8 October concerning their platforms’ alleged roles in online radicalisation and the incitement of politically motivated acts.
According to TechCrunch, the letters, issued by the Committee, request the presence of the executives to address how their services may have been used in connection with recent incidents of political violence.
Rep. James Comer, chairman of the Oversight Committee, cited the murder of Charlie Kirk and other politically motivated attacks as the basis for congressional intervention. He said Congress had a responsibility to examine the platforms that had been used to promote violence.
He called for the executives to explain what measures they would implement to prevent the misuse of their services.
Discord responded that it expected to testify in October. A spokesperson said the company maintained regular communication with policymakers and intended to continue those discussions.
Reddit, in a separate response to Reuters, confirmed it was examining any connection between its platform and the death of Charlie Kirk.
Kirk, a prominent conservative figure and associate of former President Trump, was shot and killed last week while speaking at an event in Utah. The alleged attacker, Tyler Robinson, is reported to have admitted to the killing in a message on Discord shortly before his arrest. Reports suggest the bullets used bore engravings of internet memes and references to video games.
