    [Senate Hearing 117-843]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                                            S. Hrg. 117-843

                       PROTECTING KIDS ONLINE: SNAPCHAT,
                              TIKTOK, AND YOUTUBE

    =======================================================================

                                    HEARING

                                   before the

                       SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION,
                        PRODUCT SAFETY, AND DATA SECURITY

                                     of the

                             COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
                          SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
                              UNITED STATES SENATE

                        ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                                   __________

                                OCTOBER 26, 2021

                                   __________

        Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
                                 Transportation

                     [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                    Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov

                                   ______

                     U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

    54-901 PDF                WASHINGTON : 2024

           SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION

                        ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS

                                 FIRST SESSION

                       MARIA CANTWELL, Washington, Chair

    AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota             ROGER WICKER, Mississippi, Ranking
    RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut      JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
    BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii                 ROY BLUNT, Missouri
    EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts         TED CRUZ, Texas
    GARY PETERS, Michigan                DEB FISCHER, Nebraska
    TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin             JERRY MORAN, Kansas
    TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois            DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska
    JON TESTER, Montana                  MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee
    KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona              TODD YOUNG, Indiana
    JACKY ROSEN, Nevada                  MIKE LEE, Utah
    BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico            RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin
    JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado          SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West
    RAPHAEL WARNOCK, Georgia                 Virginia
                                         RICK SCOTT, Florida
                                         CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming

                     Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director
           George Greenwell, Policy Coordinator and Security Manager
                     John Keast, Republican Staff Director
                Crystal Tully, Republican Deputy Staff Director
                          Steven Wall, General Counsel

                                     ------

             SUBCOMMITTEE ON CONSUMER PROTECTION, PRODUCT SAFETY,
                               AND DATA SECURITY

    RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut,     MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee,
        Chair                                Ranking
    AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota             JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
    BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii                 ROY BLUNT, Missouri
    EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts         JERRY MORAN, Kansas
    TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin             MIKE LEE, Utah
    BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico            TODD YOUNG, Indiana

                                C O N T E N T S

                                  ----------
                                                                       Page
    Hearing held on October 26, 2021.................................     1
    Statement of Senator Blumenthal..................................     1
    Statement of Senator Blackburn...................................     4
    Statement of Senator Klobuchar...................................    27
    Statement of Senator Markey......................................    31
    Statement of Senator Thune.......................................    35
    Statement of Senator Baldwin.....................................    37
    Statement of Senator Cantwell....................................    39
    Statement of Senator Lee.........................................    41
    Statement of Senator Lujan.......................................    44
    Statement of Senator Cruz........................................    48
    Statement of Senator Moran.......................................    51
    Statement of Senator Sullivan....................................    55
    Statement of Senator Lummis......................................    57

                                   Witnesses

    Jennifer Stout, Vice President of Global Public Policy, Snap Inc.     5
        Prepared statement...........................................     7
    Michael Beckerman, Vice President and Head of Public Policy,
      Americas, TikTok...............................................    10
        Prepared statement...........................................    11
    Leslie Miller, Vice President, Government Affairs and Public
      Policy, YouTube................................................    17
        Prepared statement...........................................    18

                                    Appendix

    Response to written questions submitted to Jennifer Stout by:
        Hon. Richard Blumenthal......................................    75
        Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................    77
    Response to written questions submitted to Michael Beckerman by:
        Hon. Richard Blumenthal......................................   212
        Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................   215
        Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................   218
        Hon. Rick Scott..............................................   219
        Hon. Cynthia Lummis..........................................   220
        Hon. John Thune..............................................   221
        Hon. Ted Cruz................................................   221
        Hon. Mike Lee................................................   225
    Response to written questions submitted to Leslie Miller by:
        Hon. Richard Blumenthal......................................   225
        Hon. Amy Klobuchar...........................................   231
        Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................   235
        Hon. Rick Scott..............................................   235
        Hon. Cynthia Lummis..........................................   236
        Hon. John Thune..............................................   237
        Hon. Mike Lee................................................   239

                       PROTECTING KIDS ONLINE: SNAPCHAT,
                              TIKTOK, AND YOUTUBE

                                  ----------

                           TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021

                                   U.S. Senate,
          Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product
                             Safety, and Data Security,
            Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
                                                        Washington, DC.
        The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:01 a.m., in
    room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Richard
    Blumenthal, Chairman of the Subommittee, presiding.
        Present: Senators Blumenthal [presiding], Cantwell,
    Klobuchar, Markey, Baldwin, Lujan, Blackburn, Thune, Moran,
    Lee, Cruz, Sullivan, and Lummis.

             OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,
                     U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT

        Senator Blumenthal. Welcome to this hearing on protecting
    kids on social media. I want to thank the Ranking Member,
    Senator Blackburn, who has been a very, very close partner in
    this work, as well as Chairman Cantwell and Ranking Member
    Wicker for their support. We are joined by Senator Thune and
    Senator Amy Klobuchar and Senator Ed Markey. They have all been
    extraordinary leaders in this effort. And today, I should note,
    is the first time that TikTok and Snap have appeared before
    Congress. I appreciate you and YouTube for your testimony this
    morning. Means a lot.
        Our hearing with the Facebook whistleblower, Frances
    Haugen, was a searing indictment, along with her documents of a
    powerful, gigantic corporation that puts profits ahead of
    people, especially our children. There has been a definite and
    deafening drumbeat of continuing disclosures about Facebook.
    They have deepened America's concerns and outrage and have led
    to increasing calls for accountability, and there will be
    accountability.
        This time is different. Accountability to parents and the
    public, accountability to Congress, accountability to investors
    and shareholders, and accountability to the Securities and
    Exchange Commission and other Federal agencies, because there
    is ample credible evidence to start an investigation there. But
    today we are concerned about continuing to educate the American
    public and ourselves about how we can face this crisis. What we
    learned from Ms. Haugen's disclosures and reporting since then
    is absolutely repugnant and abhorrent about Instagram's
    algorithms creating a perfect storm, in the words of one of
    Facebook's own researchers.
        As that person said, it exacerbates downward spirals,
    harmful to teens, it fuels hate and violence, it prioritizes
    profits over the people that it hurts. In effect, the
    algorithms push emotional and provocative content, toxic
    content that amplifies depression, anger, hate, anxiety because
    those emotions attract and hook kids and others to their
    platforms. In effect, the more content and more extreme
    versions of it are pushed to children who expressed an interest
    in online bullying, eating disorders, self-harm, even suicide.
    And that is why we now have a drumbeat of demands for
    accountability, along with the drumbeats of disclosure. But we
    are hearing the same stories and reports of the same harms
    about the tech platforms that are represented here today.
        I have heard from countless parents and medical
    professionals in Connecticut and elsewhere around the country
    about the same phenomenon on Snapchat, YouTube, and TikTok. In
    effect, that business model is the same, more eyeballs means
    more dollars. Everything that you do is to add users,
    especially kids, and keep them on your apps for longer. I
    understand from your testimony that your defense is, we are not
    Facebook, we are different, and we are different from each
    other. Being different from Facebook is not a defense. That bar
    is in the gutter. It is not a defense to say that you are
    different. What we want is not a race to the bottom, but really
    a race to the top. So we will want to know from you what
    specific steps you are taking that protect children, even if it
    means foregoing profits. We are going to want to know what
    research you have done.
        Similar to the studies and data that have been disclosed
    about Facebook. And we are going to want to know whether you
    will support real reforms, not just the tweaks and the minor
    changes that you suggested and recounted in your testimony. The
    picture that we have seen from an endless stream of videos that
    is automatically selected by sophisticated algorithms shows
    that you too drive and strive to find something that teens will
    like and then drive more of it to them.
        If you learn that a teen feels insecure about his or her
    body, it is a recipe for disaster because you start out on
    dieting tips, but the algorithm will raise the temperature, it
    will flood that individual with more and more extreme messages,
    and after a while, all of the videos are about eating
    disorders. It is the same rabbit hole, driving kids down those
    rabbit holes created by algorithms that leads to dark places
    and encourages more destructive hate and violence.
        We have done some listening. I heard from Nora in Westport,
    who allowed her 11-year-old daughter, Avery, on TikTok because
    she thought it was just girls dancing. Avery wanted to exercise
    more with the shutdown of school and sports so like most people
    she went online. Nora told me about the rabbit hole that TikTok
    and YouTube's algorithms pulled her daughter into. She began to
    see ever more extreme videos about weight loss. Avery started
    exercising compulsively and ate only one meal a day. Her body
    weight dropped dangerously low, and she was diagnosed with
    anorexia. Avery is now luckily in treatment, but the financial
    cost of care is an extreme burden, and her education has
    suffered. We heard from parents who had the same experience.
        So we, not only listened, but we checked ourselves. On
    YouTube, my office created an account as a teenager. Like
    Avery, we watched a few videos about extreme dieting and eating
    disorders. They were easy to find. YouTube's recommendation
    algorithm began to promote extreme dieting and eating disorder
    videos each time we opened the app. These were often videos
    about teens starving themselves, as you can see from this
    poster. The red is eating disorder related content, the green
    is all the other videos. One is before and the other is after
    the algorithm kicked in. You can see the difference. We also
    received these recommendations each time we watched other
    videos. It is mostly eating disorder content. There was no way
    out of this rabbit hole.
        Another parent in Connecticut wrote to me about how their
    son was fed a constant stream of videos on TikTok related to
    disordered eating and calorie counting after looking up
    athletic training. As scientific research has shown, eating
    disorders and body comparison also significantly affect young
    men on social media. Young men often feel compelled to bulk up
    to look a certain way. Again, I heard about this pressure all
    too often. We created an account on TikTok. Troublingly, it was
    easy searching TikTok, to go from men's fitness to steroid use.
    It took us only 1 minute, 1 minute to find TikTok accounts
    openly promoting and selling illegal steroids.
        We all know the dangers of steroids, and they are illegal.
    All of this research and facts and disclosures send a message
    to America's parents, you cannot trust big tech with your kids.
    Parents of America cannot trust these apps with their children.
    And big tech cannot say to parents, you must be the
    gatekeepers, you must be the social media copilots, you must be
    the app police because parents should not have to bear that
    burden alone. We need stronger rules to protect children
    online, real transparency, real accountability. I want a market
    where the competition is to protect children, not to exploit
    them, not a race to the bottom, but a competition for the top.
        We have said that this moment is for big tech, a big
    tobacco moment. And I think there is a lot of truth to that
    contention because it is a moment of reckoning. The fact is
    that like big tobacco, big tech has lured teens despite knowing
    its products can be harmful. It has sought to associate itself
    with celebrities, fashion, and beauty, everything that appeals
    to a young audience. And like big tobacco, Facebook hid from
    parents and the public the substantial evidence that Instagram
    could have a negative effect on teen health. But the products
    are different. Big tech is not irredeemably bad like big
    tobacco. Big tobacco and the tobacco products, when used by the
    customer as the way the manufacturer intended, actually kill
    the customer.
        As Ms. Haugen said, our goal is not to burn Facebook to the
    ground. It is to bring out the best to improve it, to impose
    accountability. As she said, ``we can have social media we
    enjoy that connects us without tearing apart our democracy,
    putting our children in danger, and sowing ethnic violence
    around the world. We can do better.'' And I agree. Thank you,
    and we will turn now to the Ranking Member.

                  STATEMENT OF HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE

        Senator Blackburn. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you
    to our witnesses for being here today. We do appreciate this.
    And Mr. Chairman, I thank your staff for the good work that
    they have done working to facilitate these hearings on holding
    big tech accountable. We appreciate that. And today's
    conversation is something that is much needed, and it is long
    overdue.
        For too long, we have allowed platforms to promote and
    glorify dangerous content for its kid and teen users. In the
    weeks leading up to this hearing, I have heard from parents,
    from teachers, from mental health professionals who are all
    wondering the same thing, how long are we going to let this
    continue? And what will it take for platforms to finally crack
    down on the viral challenges, the illicit drugs, the eating
    disorder content, and the child sexual abuse material? We find
    this on your platforms, and teachers and parents and mental
    health physicians cannot figure out why you allow this to
    happen.
        It seems like every day that I hear stories about kids and
    teens who are suffering after interacting with TikTok, YouTube,
    and Snapchat. Kids as young as nine have died doing viral
    challenges on TikTok. And we have seen teen girls lured into
    inappropriate sexual relationships with predators on Snapchat.
    You are parents. How can you allow this? How can you allow
    this? I have learned about kids and teens who commit suicide
    due to bullying that they have suffered on these sites and the
    platforms' refusal to work with law enforcement and families to
    stop the harassment when asked. If it were your child, what
    would you do to protect your child? Does it matter to you?
        My staff has viewed abusive content featuring minors and
    videos of people slitting their wrists on YouTube. It is there.
    Yet all the while, kids and teens are flocking to these sites
    in increasing numbers in the platforms love it as they know
    that youth are a captive audience, one which will continue
    consuming the content that is fed to them through these
    algorithms, even if it puts them in danger. They are curious.
    They get pulled down the rabbit hole. They continue to watch.
    And these platforms are getting more and more data about our
    children. But do we know what they are doing with that data?
        In the case of Facebook, we learned that they are using it
    to sell their products to younger and younger children, those
    who cannot legally use their services. But these platforms, you
    all know you have children on these platforms that are too
    young to be on these platforms and you allow it to continue
    because it is money--it is money in the bank. It is money in
    your paycheck. And obviously money trumps everything. And with
    some of our witnesses today, we have real reason to question
    how they are collecting and using the data that they get from
    American children and teens.
        I have made no secret about my concerns that TikTok, which
    is owned by Beijing owned ByteDance, is paving the way for the
    Chinese Government to gain unfettered access to our children
    and teens. And TikTok, despite vague assurances that say, and I
    am quoting, ``store data outside of China'' has not alleviated
    my concerns in the slightest. In fact, earlier this year, they
    changed their privacy policy to allow themselves to collect
    even more data on Americans. Now they want your face prints and
    voice prints in addition to your geolocation data and your
    keystroke patterns and rhythms.
        They also collect audio that comes from devices connected
    to your smartphone, like smart speakers. They collect face and
    body attributes from videos, as well as the objects and the
    scenery that appear in those videos. This makes sense to some
    degree to create videos. But given China's propensity to
    surveil its own citizens, why should we trust that TikTok
    through ByteDance isn't doing the same to us?
        Most Americans have no idea this is happening. And while
    they hope on the face of things to reassure us by creating U.S.
    based offices for their high priced lobbyists and marketing
    personnel, it just is not enough. We see through it all, as we
    will get into today. TikTok's own privacy policies give them an
    out to share data with ByteDance and the Chinese Communist
    Party. Yet most Americans have absolutely no idea if the
    Chinese Communist Party is getting their information.
        The time has come where we must focus on what Congress can
    do to secure American consumers' personal data. As a mother and
    a grandmother, I know this is doubly important when it comes to
    our children. As this hearing will show, we can't afford to
    wait on that. So thank you to the witnesses. We look forward to
    your cooperation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Senator Blackburn. We have with
    us this morning Ms. Jennifer Stout, Vice President of Global
    Public Policy at Snapchat. Ms. Stout is the Vice President of
    Global Policy, and prior to Snapchat, she spent most of her
    career in Government working for then Senator Joe Biden and at
    the United States Department of State. Mr. Michael Beckerman is
    Vice President and Head of Public Policy at America's TikTok.
        He joined TikTok in February 2020 and leads their
    Government relations. He was previously the Founding President
    and CEO of the Internet Association. We are joined by Ms.
    Leslie Miller, remotely, Vice President, Government Affairs and
    Public Policy at YouTube. Ms. Miller leads YouTube's public
    policy team. Previously, she served as Acting Head of Global
    Policy for Google. Why don't we begin with your testimony, Ms.
    Stout? Thank you.

     STATEMENT OF JENNIFER STOUT, VICE PRESIDENT OF GLOBAL PUBLIC
                           POLICY, SNAP INC.

        Ms. Stout. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Chairman Blumenthal,
    Ranking Member Blackburn, and members of the Subcommittee,
    thank you so much for the opportunity to be here today. My name
    is Jennifer Stout, and I am the Vice President of Global Public
    Policy at Snap. I have been in this role for nearly 5 years
    after spending almost two decades in public service, more than
    half in Congress.
        I have tremendous respect for this institution and the work
    that you are doing to ensure that young people are having safe
    and healthy online experiences. To understand Snap's approach
    to protecting young people on our platform, it is helpful to
    start at the beginning. Snapchat's founders were part of the
    first generation to grow up with social media. Like many of
    their peers, they saw that while social media was capable of
    making a positive impact, it also had certain features that
    troubled them.
        These platforms encouraged people to broadcast their
    thoughts permanently. Young people were constantly measuring
    themselves by likes, by comments, trying to present a perfect
    version of themselves because of social pressures and judgment.
    Social media also evolved to feature an endless feed of
    unvetted content, exposing individuals to a flood of viral,
    misleading, and harmful information.
        Snapchat is different. Snapchat was built as an antidote to
    social media. From the start, there were three key ways we
    prioritized privacy and safety. First, we decided to have
    Snapchat opened to a camera instead of a feed of content. This
    created a blank canvas for friends to visually communicate with
    each other in a way that was more immersive than text. Second,
    we embraced strong privacy principles and the idea of
    ephemerality, making images delete by default. Social media may
    have normalized having a permanent record of conversations
    online, but in real life, friends don't break out their tape
    recorder to document every conversation.
        Third, we focused on connecting people who are already
    friends in real life by requiring that both Snapchatters opt in
    to being friends in order to communicate because in real life,
    friendships are mutual. We have worked hard to keep evolving
    responsibly. Understanding the potential negative effects of
    social media, we made proactive choices to ensure that all of
    our future products reflected those early values. We were
    influenced by existing regulatory frameworks that govern
    broadcast and telecommunications when developing the parts of
    our app where users had the potential to reach a large
    audience.
        Discover, which is our closed content platform and features
    content from professional media publishers and verified users,
    and Spotlight, where creators can submit creative and
    entertaining videos to share, are both structured in a way that
    does not allow unvetted content to get reach. Our design
    protects our audience and makes us different. When it comes to
    young people, we have made intentional choices to apply
    additional protections to keep them safe. We have adopted
    responsible design principles and rigorous processes that
    consider the privacy and safety of new features right from the
    beginning. We take into account the unique sensitivities of
    young people. We intentionally make it harder for strangers to
    find minors by not allowing public profiles for users under 18.
        We have long deployed age dating tools to prevent minors
    from viewing age regulated content and ads. We make no effort
    and have no plans to market to young children. Individuals
    under the age of 13 are not permitted to create Snapchat
    accounts, and if we find them, we remove them. Additionally, we
    are developing new tools that will give parents more oversight
    over how their teens are using Snapchat. Protecting the well-
    being of our community is something we approach with both
    humility and determination. Over 500 million people around the
    world use Snapchat and 95 percent of our community says that
    Snapchat makes them feel happy because it connects them to
    their friends.
        We have a moral responsibility to take into account the
    best interests of our users in everything we do, and we
    understand that there is more work to be done. As we look to
    the future, we believe that regulation is necessary. But given
    the different speeds at which technology develops and which the
    rate at which regulation can be implemented, regulation alone
    can't get the job done. Technology companies must take
    responsibility to protect the communities they serve. If they
    don't, Government must act to hold them accountable.
        We fully support the Subcommittee's approach and efforts to
    investigate these issues, and we welcome a collaborative
    approach to problem-solving that keeps our young people safe
    online. Thank you again for the opportunity to appear today,
    and I look forward to answering your questions.
        [The prepared statement of Ms. Stout follows:]

                     Prepared Statement of Jennifer Stout,
                Vice President of Global Public Policy, Snap Inc
    Introduction
        Chairman Blumenthal, Ranking Member Blackburn, and members of the
    Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
    My name is Jennifer Stout and I serve as the Vice President of Global
    Public Policy at Snap Inc., the parent company of Snapchat. It's an
    honor and privilege to be back in the Senate 23 years after first
    getting my start in public service as a Senate staffer, this time in a
    much different capacity--to speak about Snap's approach to privacy and
    safety, especially as it relates to our youngest community members. I
    have been in this role for nearly five years, after spending almost two
    decades in public service, more than half of which was spent in
    Congress. I have tremendous respect for this institution and the work
    you and your staff are doing to make sure that tech platforms ensure
    that our youth are having safe and healthy online experiences.
        To understand Snap's approach to protecting young people on our
    platform, it's helpful to start at the beginning. Snapchat's founders
    were part of the first generation to grow up with social media. Like
    many of their peers, they saw that while social media was capable of
    making a positive impact, it also had certain features that negatively
    impacted their friendships. These platforms encouraged people to
    publicly broadcast their thoughts and feelings, permanently. Our
    founders saw how people were constantly measuring themselves against
    others through ``likes'' and comments, trying to present a version of
    themselves through perfectly curated images, and carefully scripting
    their content because of social pressure. Social media also evolved to
    feature an endless feed of unvetted content, exposing people to a flood
    of viral, misleading, and harmful content.
        Snapchat was built as an antidote to social media. In fact, we
    describe ourselves as a camera company. Snapchat's architecture was
    intentionally designed to empower people to express a full range of
    experiences and emotions with their real friends, not just the pretty
    and perfect moments. In the formative years of our company, there were
    three major ways our team pioneered new inventions to prioritize online
    privacy and safety.
        First, we decided to have Snapchat open to a camera instead of a
    feed of content. This created a blank canvas for friends to visually
    communicate with each other in a way that is more immersive and
    creative than sending text messages.
        Second, we embraced strong privacy principles, data minimization,
    and the idea of ephemerality, making images delete-by-default. This
    allowed people to genuinely express themselves in the same way they
    would if they were just hanging out at a park with their friends.
    Social media may have normalized having a permanent record of
    conversations online, but in real life, friends don't break out their
    tape recorder to document every single conversation for public
    consumption or permanent retention.
        Third, we focused on connecting people who were already friends in
    real life by requiring that, by default, both Snapchatters opt-in to
    being friends in order to communicate. Because in real life,
    friendships are mutual. It's not one person following the other, or
    random strangers entering our lives without permission or invitation.
    A Responsible Evolution
        Since those early days, we have worked to continue evolving
    responsibly. Understanding the potential negative effects of social
    media, we made proactive choices to ensure that all of our future
    products reflected those early values.
        We didn't need to reinvent the wheel to do that. Our team was able
    to learn from history when confronting the challenges posed by new
    technology. As Snapchat evolved over time, we were influenced by
    existing regulatory frameworks that govern broadcast and
    telecommunications when developing the parts of our app where users
    could share content that has the potential to reach a large audience.
    For instance, when you talk to your friends on the phone, you have a
    high expectation of privacy, whereas if you are a public broadcaster
    with the potential to influence the minds and opinions of many, you are
    subject to different standards and regulatory requirements.
        That dichotomy helped us to develop rules for the more public
    portions of Snapchat that are inspired by broadcast regulations. These
    rules protect our audience and differentiate us from other platforms.
    For example, Discover, our closed content platform where Snapchatters
    get their news and entertainment, exclusively features content from
    either professional media publishers who partner with us, or from
    artists, creators, and athletes who we choose to work with. All of
    these content providers have to abide by our Community Guidelines,
    which apply to all of the content on our platform. But Discover
    publisher partners also must abide by our Publisher Guidelines, which
    include requiring that content is fact-checked or accurate and age-
    gated when appropriate. And for individual creators featured in
    Discover, our human moderation teams review their Stories before we
    allow them to be promoted on the platform. While we use algorithms to
    feature content based on individual interests, they are applied to a
    limited and vetted pool of content, which is a different approach from
    other platforms.
        On Spotlight, where creators can submit creative and entertaining
    videos to share with the broader Snapchat community, all content is
    first reviewed automatically by artificial intelligence before gaining
    any distribution, and then human-reviewed and moderated before it can
    be viewed by more than 25 people. This is done to ensure that we reduce
    the risk of spreading misinformation, hate speech, or other potentially
    harmful content.
        We don't always get it right the first time, which is why we
    redesign parts of Snapchat when they aren't living up to our values.
    That's what happened in 2017 when we discovered that one of our
    products, Stories, was making Snapchatters feel like they had to
    compete with celebrities and influencers for attention because content
    from celebrities and friends were combined in the same user interface.
    As a result of that observation, we decided to separate ``social''
    content created by friends from ``media'' content created by
    celebrities to help reduce social comparison on our platform. This
    redesign negatively impacted our user growth in the short-term, but it
    was the right thing to do for our community.
    Protecting Young People on Snapchat
        Our mission--to empower people to express themselves, live in the
    moment, learn about the world, and have fun together--informed
    Snapchat's fundamental architecture. Adhering to this mission has
    enabled us to create a platform that reflects human nature and fosters
    real friendships. It continues to influence our design processes and
    principles, our policies and practices, and the resources and tools we
    provide to our community. And it undergirds our constant efforts to
    improve how we address the inherent risks and challenges associated
    with serving a large online community.
        A huge part of living up to our mission has been building and
    maintaining trust with our community and partners, as well as parents,
    lawmakers, and safety experts. Those relationships have been built
    through the deliberate, consistent decisions we have made to put
    privacy and safety at the heart of our product design process.
        For example, we have adopted responsible design principles that
    consider the privacy and safety of new products and features right from
    the beginning of the development process. And we've made those
    principles come to life through rigorous processes. Every new feature
    in Snapchat goes through a defined privacy and safety review, conducted
    by teams that span Snap--including designers, data scientists,
    engineers, product managers, product counsel, policy leads, and privacy
    engineers--long before it sees the light of day.
        While more than 80 percent of our community in the United States is
    18 or older, we have spent a tremendous amount of time and resources to
    protect teenagers. We've made thoughtful and intentional choices to
    apply additional privacy and safety policies and design principles to
    help keep teenagers safe. That includes:

       Taking into account the unique sensitivities and
            considerations of minors when we design products. That's why we
            intentionally make it harder for strangers to find minors by
            banning public profiles for people under 18 and are rolling out
            a feature to limit the discoverability of minors in Quick Add
            (friend suggestions). And why we have long deployed age-gating
            tools to prevent minors from viewing age-regulated content and
            ads.

       Empowering Snapchatters by providing consistent and easy-to-
            use controls like turning location sharing off by default and
            offering streamlined in-app reporting for users to report
            concerning content or behaviors to our Trust and Safety teams.
            Once reported, most content is actioned in under 2 hours to
            minimize the potential for harm.

       Working to develop tools that will give parents more
            oversight without sacrificing privacy--including plans to
            provide parents the ability to view their teen's friends,
            manage their privacy and location settings, and see who they're
            talking to.

       Investing in educational programs and initiatives that
            support the safety and mental health of our community--like
            Friend Check Up and Here for You. Friend Check Up prompts
            Snapchatters to review who they are friends with and make sure
            the list is made up of people they know and still want to be
            connected with. Here for You provides support to users who may
            be experiencing mental health or emotional crises by providing
            tools and resources from experts.

       Preventing underage use. We make no effort--and have no
            plans--to market to children, and individuals under the age of
            13 are not permitted to create Snapchat accounts. When
            registering for an account, individuals are required to provide
            their date of birth, and the registration process fails if a
            user inputs an age under the age of 13. We have also
            implemented a new safeguard that prevents Snapchat users
            between 13-17 with existing accounts from updating their
            birthday to an age of 18 or above. Specifically, if a minor
            attempts to change their year of birth to an age over 18, we
            will prevent the change as a way to ensure that users are not
            accessing age-inappropriate content within Snapchat.
    Conclusion and Looking Ahead
        We're always striving for new ways to keep our community safe, and
    we have more work left to do. We know that online safety is a shared
    responsibility, spanning a host of sectors and actors. We are committed
    to doing our part in concert with safety partners including our Safety
    Advisory Board, technology industry peers, government, and civil
    society. From technology-focused and awareness-raising initiatives, to
    research and best practice sharing, we are actively engaged with
    organizations dedicated to protecting minors online. We also know that
    there are many complex problems and technical challenges across our
    industry, including age verification of minors, and we remain committed
    to working with partners and policymakers to identify robust industry-
    wide solutions.
        Protecting the wellbeing of Snapchatters is something we approach
    with both humility and steadfast determination. Over 500 million people
    around the world use Snapchat every month and while 95 percent of our
    users say Snapchat makes them feel happy, we have a moral
    responsibility to take into account their best interests in everything
    we do. That's especially true as we innovate with augmented reality--
    which has the potential to positively contribute to the way we work,
    shop, learn, and communicate. We will apply those same founding values
    and principles as we continue to experiment with new technologies like
    the next generation of augmented reality.
        As we look to the future, computing and technology will become
    increasingly integrated into our daily lives. We believe that
    regulation is necessary but given the speed at which technology
    develops and the rate at which regulation can be implemented,
    regulation alone can't get the job done. Technology companies must take
    responsibility and actively protect the communities they serve.
        If they don't, the government must act swiftly to hold them
    accountable. We fully support the Subcommittee's efforts to investigate
    these issues and welcome a collaborative approach to problem solving
    that keeps our society safe.
        Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today and
    discuss these critical issues. I look forward to answering your
    questions.

        Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Ms. Stout. Mr. Beckerman.

      STATEMENT OF MICHAEL BECKERMAN, VICE PRESIDENT AND HEAD OF
                    PUBLIC POLICY, AMERICAS, TIKTOK

        Mr. Beckerman. Chairman Blumenthal, Ranking Member
    Blackburn, and members of the Subcommittee, my name is Michael
    Beckerman, and I am the Vice President of Public Policy for the
    Americas at TikTok. I am also the father of two young
    daughters. I am passionate about ensuring that our children
    stay safe online. I joined TikTok after nearly a decade
    representing the Internet industry at large because I saw an
    opportunity to help TikTok responsibly grow from a young
    startup to a trusted entertainment platform.
        TikTok is not a social network based on followers or social
    graph. It is not an app that people check to see what their
    friends are doing. You watch TikToks, you create on TikTok. The
    passion and creativity and diversity of our community has
    fueled new cultural trends, chart topping artists, and
    businesses across the country. It has been a bright spot for
    American families who create videos together, and I have heard
    from countless friends and family and even members of the
    Senate and your staff about how joyful and fun and entertaining
    and authentic TikTok content truly is.
        And I am proud of the hard work that our safety teams do
    every single day to safeguard our community, and that our
    leadership makes safety and wellness a priority, particularly
    to protect teens on the platform. Being open and humble is
    important to the way we operate at TikTok. In the context of
    the hearing today, that means we seek out feedback from experts
    and stakeholders to constantly improve. When we find areas or
    find flaws where we can do better, we hold ourselves
    accountable and we find solutions.
        Turning a blind eye to areas where we can improve is not
    part of our company's DNA. But most importantly, we strive to
    do the right thing, protecting people on the platform. When it
    comes to protecting minors, we work to create age appropriate
    experiences for teens throughout their development. We have
    proactively built privacy and safety protections with this in
    mind. For example, people under 16 have their accounts set to
    private automatically. They can't host live streams, and they
    can't send direct messages on our platform, and we don't allow
    anyone to send off platform videos, images, or links via direct
    messaging.
        These are perhaps underappreciated product choices that go
    a long way to protect teens, and we made these decisions which
    are counter to industry norms or our own short term growth
    interests because we are committed to do what is right and
    building for the long term. We support parents in their
    important role to protect teens. That's why we have built
    parental controls called family pairing that empower a parent
    to link their TikTok account in a simple way from their own
    device of the parent to their teenager's account to enable a
    range of privacy and safety controls.
        And I encourage all the parents that are listening to the
    hearing today to take an active role in your teen's phone and
    app use. And if they are on TikTok, please check out family
    pairing. Visit our youth portal, read through our Guardians
    guide that is on our safety center. Our tools for parents are
    industry leading, innovative, but we are always looking to add
    and improve. It is important to know that our work is not done
    in a vacuum.
        It is critical for platforms, experts, and Governments to
    collaborate on solutions that protect the safety and well-being
    of teens. That is why we partnered with Common Sense Networks,
    who helps us ensure that we provide age appropriate content and
    our under-13 app experience. We also work closely with the
    National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the
    National Parent Teacher Association, the Digital Wellness Lab
    at Boston Children's Hospital, and our U.S. Content Advisory
    Council.
        TikTok has made tremendous strides to promote the safety
    and well-being of teens, but we also acknowledge, and we are
    transparent about the room that we have to grow and improve.
    For example, we are investing in new ways for our community to
    enjoy content based on age appropriateness or family comfort.
    And we are developing more features that empower people to
    shape and customize their experience in the app. But there is
    no finish line when it comes to protecting children and teens.
        The challenges are complex, but we are determined to work
    hard and keep the platform safe and create age appropriate
    experiences. We do know trust must be earned, and we are
    seeking to earn trust through a higher level of action,
    transparency, and accountability, as well as a humility to
    learn and improve. Thank you for your leadership on these
    important issues. I look forward to answering the questions of
    the Committee.
        [The prepared statement of Mr. Beckerman follows:]

      Prepared Statement of Michael Beckerman, Vice President and Head of
                        Public Policy, Americas, TikTok
        Chairman Blumenthal, Ranking Member Blackburn, and distinguished
    members of the Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear
    before you today to discuss how industry is working to provide a safe
    and secure online experience for younger users.
        My name is Michael Beckerman, and I am the Vice President and Head
    of Public Policy for the Americas at TikTok. Prior to joining TikTok, I
    was the founding President and CEO of the Internet Association, which
    represents leading global Internet companies on public policy issues. I
    also served for twelve years as a Congressional staffer, including as
    the Deputy Staff Director of the House Committee on Energy and
    Commerce.
        TikTok is a global entertainment platform where people create and
    watch short-form videos. Our mission is to inspire creativity and bring
    joy, and that mission is the foundation for our privacy and safety
    policies that aim to protect and promote the well-being of minors on
    the app. The TikTok community has ushered in a new era in user-
    generated content by fostering authenticity. One of the unique things
    about TikTok, is how our powerful yet easy-to-use tools democratize
    video creation, enabling everyday people to express themselves
    creatively and find their community on the platform. This approach has
    resulted in more authentic content and has helped launch new cultural
    trends from feta pasta to the resurgence of Fleetwood Mac's ``Dreams.''
    It has allowed small businesses to find their voice, and to expand
    their reach and customer base, and it has been a bright spot for
    American families during the Covid-19 pandemic. Parents are sharing
    their journeys through fatherhood and motherhood, building an inclusive
    community for families of all backgrounds. In a study conducted by
    Nielson, TikTok was the only app where a top reason for usage was, ``to
    lift my spirits.''
        Since its launch a few years ago, TikTok has experienced
    exponential growth, and billions of videos are being created each
    month. We continue to build out and strengthen our teams and technology
    in support of our commitment to maintain a safe and supportive
    environment for our community.
        We empower people who use the app with a robust set of controls to
    customize their individual experience, and we are constantly working to
    build new features that support a positive and safe environment. For
    example, we give people the ability to restrict who can send them
    direct messages (with direct messages turned off entirely for people
    under 16 years old), to filter out comments containing keywords they
    select or that otherwise may be inappropriate, to delete comments in
    bulk, to easily report activity that violates our policies, and to
    shape the type of content that they will see. We have also introduced
    well-being resources to support people who want to share their well-
    being journey in our community. Developed with input from experts,
    these resources--accessible in our app and on our Safety Center--
    provide information to support people impacted by eating disorders or
    struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm. For example, if
    someone searches for key terms related to suicide, self-harm, or eating
    disorders, we direct them to expert information and support, including
    the Crisis Text Line, National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and the
    National Eating Disorders Helpline.
        We recognize that childhood and adolescence are transformative
    phases of life. In the United States, we have two separate experiences:
    TikTok for Younger Users for children under 13 years old, and TikTok
    for those at least 13 years of age. We have proactively implemented
    privacy and safety protections to promote the well-being of children
    and teenagers, and we continue to work on changes to support age-
    appropriate experiences on our platform. We understand and respect
    adolescents' desire and need for greater autonomy, but we also
    appreciate that they are still learning and growing, which is why our
    product is designed to be sensitive to the differing developmental
    stages of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood.
        Our goal of providing an age-appropriate experience for our younger
    users starts with a neutral, industry-standard age screening, which
    requires individuals creating an account to provide their birthdate.
    However, our commitment to enforcing our minimum age requirement does
    not end with age screening. We take additional actions to identify and
    remove suspected underage account holders from the TikTok platform. For
    example, we train our safety moderation teams to be alert to explicit
    admissions that an account may belong to someone under the age of 13.
    We also use other information, such as keywords or user reports, to
    help identify potential underage accounts. If, after reviewing all
    relevant information, our safety team determines that an account may
    belong to an underage person, we will suspend and remove the account.
    As part of our commitment to transparency and accountability, since the
    first quarter of 2021, we have provided reports about our removal of
    suspected underage accounts, which totaled more than 11 million
    removals between April and June 2021. We are proud to be an industry
    leader in making these disclosures.
    TikTok for Younger Users
        In the United States, if an individual registers for TikTok as
    under the age of 13, they are directed to TikTok for Younger Users, a
    curated viewing experience with stringent safeguards and privacy
    protections designed specifically for people under 13. In TikTok for
    Younger Users, youth can experience and make fun, creative, and even
    educational videos on their device. However, they cannot post videos on
    the platform, comment on others' videos, message with others, or
    maintain a profile or followers. No advertisements are shown in the
    under 13 experience.
        Earlier this year, we announced a partnership with Common Sense
    Networks as part of our ongoing efforts to improve upon the TikTok for
    Younger Users experience. Through our partnership, Common Sense
    Networks is providing additional guidance on the appropriateness of
    content for children under 13, thus strengthening our work to create an
    entertaining yet safe viewing environment for our younger audience.
    Our Approach to Teen Safety and Privacy
        Teens who are at least 13 years old can use the main TikTok
    platform. Today's youth are growing up in a media world and to help
    them safely manage their digital spaces, we provide them with age-
    appropriate privacy and safety settings and controls. The privacy and
    safety settings TikTok has developed, reflect careful consideration of
    not only the differences between children and teenagers, but also
    within the 13-18 teenage group.
        Our Minor Safety team holds a high bar of rigor for developing
    policy. We are staffed with experts from the fields of adolescent
    development, prevention science, and child protection. Our policies are
    informed by peer-reviewed academic literature and ongoing consultation
    with external scholars. TikTok works with leading youth safety and
    well-being experts, as well as adolescent psychologists to inform our
    approach, including the Family Online Safety Institute, National
    Parent-Teacher Association, Common Sense Networks, and the Digital
    Wellness Lab at Boston Children's Hospital. We seek out feedback,
    research, and best practices from such experts and organizations, and
    we use this information to help us design TikTok in way that considers
    and supports the unique needs of teens. Based on input from these
    experts and published research in this space, we have adopted a
    nuanced, age-appropriate approach that distinguishes between early
    teens (age 13-15) and late teens (16-17), which is reflected in our
    teen-related privacy and safety settings as discussed below.
    Family Pairing and Parental Oversight
        TikTok is committed to providing parents and guardians visibility
    into, and control over, how their teenagers use the app. Parents and
    guardians are critical partners in ensuring the safety of teens. They
    cannot do it alone and neither can we. We are continuously looking for
    ways to involve parents and guardians in their teen's experience on our
    platform. To that end, in 2020, TikTok unveiled our Family Pairing
    features, which empower parents or guardians to customize privacy and
    safety settings for their teenage users, which we continue to improve
    in consultation with youth and family safety experts. We are pleased to
    see some of the other platforms exploring similar features to give more
    meaningful choice and tools to parents.
        Family Pairing allows a parent or guardian to link their account
    (from the parent's device) with their teenager's account and enable
    privacy and safety controls. Through Family Pairing, parents can choose
    from the following settings:

       Screen Time Management: Parents can decide how long their
            teen can spend on TikTok each day. Parents can do this directly
            from their own accounts on their personal device.

       Restricted Mode: Parents can help limit the appearance of
            content that may not be appropriate for all audiences.

       Search: Parents can decide whether their teen can search for
            content, accounts, hashtags, or sounds.

       Discoverability: Parents can decide whether their teen's
            account is private (in which case the teen decides who can see
            their content) or public (in which case anyone can view their
            content). While under 16 accounts are private by default, this
            feature adds a layer of parental oversight.

       Suggest Account to Others: Parents can decide whether their
            teen's account can be recommended to others.

       Direct Messages: Direct message is not available for teens
            under age 16. For teens aged 17-18, parents may restrict who
            can send messages to their teen's account or turn off direct
            messaging completely.

       Liked Videos: Parents can decide whether anyone can view the
            videos that their teen likes.

       Comments: Parents can decide whether anyone can comment on
            their teen's videos.

        Even when Family Pairing is not enabled, teens themselves can
    always take advantage of these tools by selecting them individually
    through TikTok's Digital Wellbeing setting. While parents and their
    teens should remain in control of deciding what is right for their
    family, our hope is that our Family Pairing features will encourage
    families to have important conversations about digital safety and well-
    being.
        In addition to Family Pairing, we recently launched an updated
    Guardian's Guide to provide an overview of TikTok and the variety of
    tools and controls we have built into the product to keep our community
    safe. The guide also provides general information on common Internet
    safety concerns for families.
        We also developed a guide for the National PTA to provide families
    and educators with a comprehensive overview of the TikTok app and the
    safety tools and resources available to create age-appropriate
    experiences on the platform. The guide was sent to dozens of schools
    around the country and was published in a U.S. Department of Education
    newsletter.
    Privacy and Safety by Default
        The privacy and safety of our teenage users is our priority. To
    that end, we have implemented numerous privacy settings and controls
    that reflect our commitment to provide our teenage users with a
    positive, safe, and age-appropriate experience, including the
    following:

       Private Accounts: The default setting for all TikTok
            accounts of teens under 16 is set to ``private.'' That means
            that only the accounts that the teen approves can follow them
            and watch their videos.

       Suggest Your Account to Others: The ``suggest your account
            to others'' feature is disabled by default for teens under 16.
            This means the teen's account will not be suggested to other
            users unless the teen changes the setting to ``on.''

       Direct Messages: Direct messaging is automatically disabled
            for users under 16. For older teenage accounts (16-17), their
            direct messaging setting is set to ``No One'' by default. We do
            not allow anyone, regardless of age, to send off-platform
            videos, images, or links via direct messaging. We made this
            decision to further protect teens from exploitation, bullying
            or other unwanted communications, as studies have shown that
            this type of content is spread via private messaging.

       Livestreaming: Livestream hosting is disabled for teens
            under 16.

       Comments: Teens under 16 can allow Friends (followers who
            the teen follows back) or ``No One'' to comment on their
            videos; the Everyone comment function is not available for
            under 16 teens.

       Video Downloads: The ability to download videos created by
            teens under 16 is disabled. For teens between 16-17, the
            default setting in this feature is set to Off. If teens aged
            16-17 choose to turn the download feature on, they will receive
            a pop-up asking them to confirm their choice that others can
            download their videos.

       Duet/Stitch: The ``Duet'' function allows users to react,
            contribute to, or sing along with another user's video. Users
            can also ``Stitch,'' which allows a user to clip a portion of
            another user's video to include as part of their own video.
            Duet and Stitch are disabled for teens under 16, whereas the
            default setting for teens 16-17 is set to Friends.

       Gifting: Users must be 18 or over to buy, send, or receive
            virtual gifts during Livestreams.

        Building on these age-appropriate protective measures, and in
    keeping with developments in the global privacy landscape, we recently
    have introduced new settings:

       We have added a pop-up that appears when teens under 16 are
            ready to publish their first video, asking them to choose who
            can watch the video. They will not be able to publish their
            video until they make a selection.

       We have provided additional context to help teens aged 16-17
            understand how downloads work, so they can choose the option
            that is most comfortable for them. If they opt to turn the
            feature on, they will now receive a pop-up asking them to
            confirm that choice before others can download their videos.

       When someone aged 16-17 joins TikTok, their Direct Messaging
            setting will be set to ``No One'' by default. To message
            others, they will need to switch to a different sharing option.
            Existing accounts that have never used direct messaging before
            will receive a prompt asking them to review and confirm their
            privacy settings the next time they use this feature.

       Accounts for age 13-15 teens will not receive push
            notifications from 9 p.m., and accounts for age 16-17 teens
            will have push notifications disabled starting at 10 p.m.
    Preventing Bullying and Harassment
        TikTok stands against bullying and harassment in any form. We
    continue to look for ways to promote open and respectful discussion
    while prohibiting inappropriate and harmful comments on our platform.
    We launched #CreateKindness, a global campaign and a creative video
    series aimed at raising awareness about online bullying and encouraging
    people to choose to be kind toward one another. The campaign has
    already received more than one billion views.
        Bullying and harassment are violations of our Community Guidelines,
    and when we see such content and behavior, we take action. To further
    help foster kindness in our community, we have rolled out the following
    features this year:

       A prompt asking people to reconsider posting unkind or
            inappropriate comments.

       Two features that give users more control over the comments
            on their videos:

         With our new Filter All Comments feature, users can
                decide which comments will appear on their videos. When
                enabled, comments are not displayed unless the creator
                approves them using the comment management tool. This
                feature builds on our existing collection of comment
                controls that allow people to automatically filter spam,
                offensive comments, and specific keywords.

         We have also introduced the ability to delete multiple
                comments at once or report them for potentially violating
                our Community Guidelines. Accounts that post bullying or
                other negative comments can now be blocked in bulk, up to
                100 at a time.

        In addition, we work to educate teens and families about bullying
    prevention. We recently launched a bullying prevention guide on our
    Safety Center to help teens, parents and guardians, and educators learn
    about the issue and settings that can help prevent bullying on our
    platform.
    Combatting Child Exploitation
        TikTok is firmly committed to protecting the safety of our
    community, and we take a zero-tolerance approach to all forms of child
    sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA), including child sexual abuse
    material (CSAM). We continually monitor, update, and reinforce our
    efforts to stop the creation and sharing of CSAM. TikTok has a
    dedicated investigations group within our Trust & Safety team focused
    on detecting emerging trends and patterns regarding child exploitation
    and abuse as part of our efforts to keep our platform safe. TikTok
    adheres to the Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual
    Exploitation and Abuse, which provide a framework that can be
    consistently applied across sectors and services to respond to changing
    societal and offending behaviors and reduce risks for users.
        TikTok's efforts to thwart CSAM and child exploitative content is
    premised on the three P's: Policies, Product, and Partners.

       Policies: The threat posed by CSAM and child exploitative
            content remains a global challenge that requires collaboration
            with academic experts, child safety groups, industry
            organizations, and governments. TikTok's global Trust & Safety
            teams are comprised of experienced professionals whose
            backgrounds span product, policy, compliance, child safety,
            law, and privacy. Trust & Safety leaders collaborate closely
            with regional regulators, policymakers, governments, and law
            enforcement agencies to promote the highest possible standard
            of user safety. Our Los Angeles-based Trust & Safety team is
            responsible for developing and enforcing moderation policies
            and strategies in the United States.

        TikTok's Community Guidelines prohibit content that depicts or
            disseminates child abuse, child nudity, or the sexual
            exploitation of children. When we become aware of such content,
            we take immediate action to remove the violative content,
            terminate the pertinent accounts, and, where appropriate,
            report cases of CSAM to the National Center for Missing and
            Exploited Children (NCMEC) and other law enforcement agencies.
            In 2020, TikTok made 22,692 reports regarding CSAM and child
            exploitative content to NCMEC's CyberTipline.

        TikTok's multifaceted strategy to combat CSAM and child
            exploitative content employs both human-centered moderators as
            discussed below, as well as machine-based moderation tools such
            as photo-identification technology. Additionally, we filter
            red-flag language and share information with NCMEC about
            situations that may indicate grooming behavior, according to
            their policies and industry norms.

       Product: TikTok does not allow off-platform videos, images,
            or links to be sent through direct messages or comments to
            videos. This was a deliberate decision we made, supported by
            relevant studies, and helps to close off a potential vector for
            the propagation and dissemination of CSAM and child
            exploitative content. We provide in-app reporting mechanisms to
            ensure users can report content that violates our Community
            Guidelines, including content that violates our minor safety
            rules. Finally, for our under 13 users, we have implemented
            additional restrictions and safeguards in TikTok for Younger
            Users to help guard against the risks of CSAM and child
            exploitative content.

       Partners: TikTok leverages the expertise of child safety
            organizations, including the Family Online Safety Institute,
            ConnectSafely, National PTA, Cyberbullying Research Center,
            Boston Children's Hospital's Digital Wellness Lab, Internet
            Watch Foundation, NCMEC to continually assess and enhance our
            minor safety policies and product features. We also recently
            joined the Technology Coalition, a global alliance of leading
            Internet companies, to work collaboratively toward solutions
            that protect children from online sexual exploitation.
    Content Moderation and Dangerous Challenges
        Content moderation policy and implementation for the United States
    is led by our U.S. Trust and Safety team in Los Angeles, with the goal
    of developing equitable policies that are transparent and can be
    consistently enforced.
        We solicit a diverse range of feedback from external experts in
    digital safety and human rights, including members of our Content
    Advisory Council. We also work with accredited and independent fact-
    checking organizations that help us assess the veracity of content,
    such as Lead Stories or Science Feedback, so that we can take the
    appropriate action in line with our Community Guidelines. We greatly
    value our collaboration with independent researchers on industry-wide
    challenges, which helps strengthen how we enforce our policies to keep
    our platform safe and welcoming.
        Our Community Guidelines are designed to foster a safe environment
    that nourishes creativity, and we rely on our community members to
    responsibly honor these parameters. We strictly prohibit dangerous acts
    and challenges on our platform and work to aggressively remove videos
    and hashtags that promote such behavior. TikTok has even stricter
    policies when it comes to inappropriate content featuring minors. Our
    policies prohibit any content that depicts or promotes activities that
    may jeopardize youth well-being, including physical challenges, dares,
    or stunts.
        While we do not condone any harmful, dangerous, or criminal
    behavior, we understand that some individuals may nevertheless decide
    to post such content. We aggressively look to remove such content and
    related hashtags as soon as possible. To educate our community about
    the dangers of such behavior, TikTok has partnered with creators to
    raise awareness against these dangerous challenges.
        Unfortunately, ``dangerous challenges'' are often sensationalized
    in the traditional media and can go ``viral'' in news accounts or from
    tweets by public officials, even when they are not actually appearing
    on the app. With regards to reports of scheduled challenges on TikTok,
    as a prominent disinformation researcher who focuses on TikTok recently
    pointed out: ``When I looked into this, I could not find a single
    TikTok actually endorsing this behavior. All evidence indicates this is
    a hoax turned into reality by local news and school districts reacting
    to completely unconfirmed rumors.'' A number of news reports have
    surfaced that many of the alleged challenges are in fact hoaxes that
    originated on another platform and were never on TikTok at all.
        We recently saw content related to ``devious licks'' gain traction
    on TikTok and other platforms. Our moderation teams worked swiftly to
    remove this content and redirect hashtags and search results to our
    Community Guidelines to discourage such behavior. We issued specialized
    guidance to our teams on this violative content and proactively
    detected and removed content, including videos, hashtags, and audio
    associated with the trend. Additionally, our teams are continuously
    staying alert to emerging violative content as well as new variations
    of spellings for hashtags relating to challenges. To help reach schools
    and parents, we actively worked with National PTA throughout this cycle
    to explain our diligent actions and reach families with messages that
    support ongoing, open conversations about digital safety and etiquette
    with their teens to ensure they are using social media productively and
    responsibly. As part of our PTA Connected initiative, National PTA has
    teamed up with TikTok to develop a guide that provides parents and
    guardians with information about TikTok, digital safety, and how they
    can help ensure their teens are using technology productively and
    responsibly.
    Transparency into Enforcement of Minor Safety Rules
        TikTok aims to be transparent and accountable when it comes to
    minor safety. We publish a quarterly Transparency Report that discloses
    the metrics related to violative content that we remove pursuant to our
    Community Guidelines. This includes data about content that violates
    our minor safety rules, as well as how quickly we detect and remove
    such content. In the second quarter of 2021, for example, 41.3 percent
    of content removed violated our minor safety policies. Of those videos,
    97.6 percent of videos were removed before they were reported to us,
    and 95.4 percent of videos were removed within 24 hours of being
    posted. This continued improvement in proactive detection is the result
    of our efforts to improve our policies and procedures that work to
    identify and flag violative content early on, before it is even viewed.
    Conclusion
        There is no finish line when it comes to protecting children and
    teens. The challenges are complex and constantly evolving, but with
    humility and determination, we are working hard to build upon our work
    to keep our platform safe for everyone, especially children and teens.
    It truly does take a village to keep minors safe online, and we will
    continue to work with teenagers, parents, child safety experts and
    organizations, policymakers, and other interested stakeholders to
    continue to improve and do better. Thank you for your time and
    consideration.

        Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Mr. Beckerman. Ms. Miller, I
    hope you are with us. Please proceed.

    STATEMENT OF LESLIE MILLER, VICE PRESIDENT, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
                       AND PUBLIC POLICY, YOUTUBE

        Ms. Miller. Sorry, I was--I think I am having a bit of
    technical difficulty. Can you hear me OK?
        Senator Blumenthal. We can hear you and now we can see you.
    Thanks.
        Ms. Miller. OK, wonderful. Thank you. Chairman Blumenthal,
    Ranking Member Blackburn, and distinguished members of the
    Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before
    you today. My name is Leslie Miller, and I am the Vice
    President of Public Policy at YouTube. As young people spend
    more time online and given their changing needs as they grow
    up, it is crucial to put in place protections that allow them
    age appropriate access to information.
        We do this by investing in the partnerships, technologies,
    and policies that create safer environments that allow children
    to express their imagination and curiosity and empower families
    to create the right experiences for their children. Our
    internal teams include experts who come from child development,
    child psychology, and children's media backgrounds. They work
    closely with the product teams to ensure that product design
    reflects an understanding of children's unique needs and
    abilities, and how they evolve over time.
        The advice from trusted experts informs our ongoing
    improvements for YouTube Kids and our child safety policies.
    Our child safety policy--our child safety specific policies,
    which I describe in greater detail in my submitted testimony,
    prohibit content that exploits or endangers minors on YouTube.
    Using a combination of machine learning and human reviewers
    across the globe, we commit significant time and resources to
    removing this harmful content as quickly as possible.
        Between April and June of this year, we removed nearly 1.8
    million videos for violations of our child safety policies, of
    which about 85 percent were removed before they had 10 views.
    We are constantly working to improve our safeguards. We have
    also invested significant resources to empower parents with
    greater control over how their children view content on
    YouTube.
        In 2015, we created YouTube Kids as a way for kids to more
    safely pursue their curiosity and explore their interests while
    providing parents more tools to control and customize the
    experience for their families. Videos on YouTube Kids include
    popular children's videos, diverse new content, and content
    from trusted partners. After we launched YouTube Kids, we heard
    from parents that tweens have different needs, which weren't
    being fully met by our products.
        That is why we have worked with parents and experts across
    the globe in areas related to child safety, child development,
    and digital literacy to develop a solution for these parents,
    which we called supervised experiences. We launched this
    earlier this year on the main YouTube platform.
        Parents now have the option of choosing between three
    different content choices, content generally suitable for
    viewers aged 9 plus, or 13 plus, and then most of YouTube. The
    most of YouTube option excludes all age restriction--age
    restricted content on the main platform. We want to give
    parents the controls that allow them to make the right choices
    for their children. On YouTube Kids and even on YouTube for all
    underage users, auto play is off by default. In the coming
    months, we will be launching additional parental controls in
    the YouTube Kids app, including the ability for a parent to
    choose a locked default auto play setting.
        Our take a break reminders and bedtime settings are also on
    by default in these experiences. YouTube treats personal
    information from anyone watching children's content on the
    platform as coming from a child, regardless of the age of the
    user. This means that on videos classified as made for kids, we
    limit data collection and use, and as a result, we restrict or
    disable some product features.
        For example, we do not serve personalized ads on this
    content on our main YouTube platform, and we do not support
    features such as comments or live chat. And to be clear, we
    have never allowed personalized advertising on YouTube Kids or
    YouTube supervised experiences.
        There is no issue more important than the safety and well-
    being of our kids online, and we are committed to working
    closely with you to address these challenges. I again would
    like to thank you for the opportunity to appear today and look
    forward to answering your questions.
        [The prepared statement of Ms. Miller follows:]

    Prepared Statement of Leslie Miller, Vice President, Government Affairs
                            & Public Policy, YouTube
    Introduction
        Chairman Blumenthal, Ranking Member Blackburn, and distinguished
    members of the subcommittee: thank you for the opportunity to appear
    before you today. My name is Leslie Miller, and I am the Vice President
    of Public Affairs and Public Policy at YouTube.
        In my role, I lead a diverse and global team that advises the
    company on public policy issues around online, user-generated content,
    supporting YouTube's mission to ``give everyone a voice and show them
    the world.'' Central to our work is our commitment to responsibility--
    and nowhere is this more important than when it comes to protecting
    kids and teens.
        As young people spend more time online, and given their changing
    needs as they grow up, it's crucial to put in place protections that
    also allow them age-appropriate access to information. We do this by
    investing in the partnerships, technologies, and policies that create
    safer environments that allow children to express their imagination and
    curiosity and empower families to create the right experiences for
    their children. At the same time, we recognize the potential risks that
    children may face online, and have invested extensively in industry-
    leading machine learning technologies that identify potential harms
    quickly and at scale.
        Our internal teams include experts who come from child development,
    child psychology and children's media backgrounds. They work closely
    with the product teams to ensure that product design reflects an
    understanding of children's unique needs and abilities and how they
    evolve over time. We also work extensively with external experts in
    online safety, content quality, mental health, trauma, digital literacy
    and child development; this collaboration is essential to ensure we
    have the best information and evidence available to address new and
    emerging challenges kids may face online. The advice from trusted
    experts informs our on-going improvements to YouTube Kids and our child
    safety policies, and was instrumental in the recent creation of YouTube
    Supervised Experiences, our new option for parents of teens and tweens
    on our main YouTube platform. We are grateful for how these
    collaborations have informed how we can build and refine our products
    and policies to keep kids safe on YouTube.
        In my testimony today, I will (1) describe our responsibility
    framework and how it applies to child safety, (2) provide an overview
    of YouTube Kids and the YouTube Supervised Experiences, (3) describe
    our child safety policies, and (4) explain how we encourage the
    development of healthy technology use.
                        YOUTUBE RESPONSIBILITY FRAMEWORK
        Responsibility is our number one priority at YouTube, and nowhere
    is that more important than in our work around kids. Some speculate
    that we hesitate to address problematic content or ignore the well-
    being of youth online because it benefits our business; this is simply
    not true. Ensuring the safety of children is not only the right thing
    to do, it also helps us to earn the trust of parents, who see that we
    are building a safe environment for kids and families. It helps us
    reassure our advertising partners that their brands are safe on
    YouTube; responsibility is good for business. We have made significant
    investments over the past few years in policies, technology, and teams
    that help provide kids and families with the best protections possible.
    Our approach towards responsibility involves 4 ``Rs'' of responsibility
    described in detail below.
    Remove
        YouTube uses a combination of machine learning and human review to
    enforce our policies and we regularly report on the content removed for
    violating our policies in our quarterly Community Guidelines
    Enforcement Report.
        We have clear policies, that I will describe in great detail in a
    later section, that prohibit content that exploits or endangers minors
    on YouTube and we have committed significant time and resources toward
    removing violative content as quickly as possible. We use a combination
    of machines and humans to enforce our policies. Machine learning is
    well-suited to detect patterns, which helps us to find content similar
    to other content we've already removed, even before it's ever viewed.
    Expert human review allows us to appreciate context and nuance when
    enforcing our policies. Between April and June (Q2) of this year we
    removed 1,874,729 videos for violations of our child safety policies,
    of which approximately 85 percent were removed before they had 10
    views.
        We have also seen a significant decline in a metric known as the
    Violative View Rate (VVR). This metric is an estimate of the proportion
    of video views that violate our Community Guidelines, to include our
    child safety policies but excluding spam, in a given quarter. Our data
    science teams have spent more than two years refining this metric,
    which we consider to be an important indicator in measuring the
    effectiveness of our efforts to fight and reduce abuse on YouTube. In
    Q2 of 2021, YouTube's VVR was 0.19-0.21 percent, meaning that out of
    every 10,000 views on YouTube, 19-21 are views of content that violates
    any of our Community Guidelines. This reduction is due in large part to
    our investments in machine learning to identify potentially violative
    content at scale. We expect to continue to reduce this metric over
    time.
    Raise Authoritative Content & Reduce Visibility on Borderline Content
        Over the last few years, we've worked with child development
    specialists to provide guidance to YouTube creators on how to create
    high-quality content for children. As a result of extensive
    consultations on children's media, digital learning, and the study of
    good citizenship, we established a set of quality principles to help
    guide our kids and family creator ecosystem. These principles include
    content that demonstrates or encourages respect and healthy habits,
    such as being a good friend, content that is thought-provoking or
    imaginative, such as arts and crafts activities, and content that
    celebrates and encourages diversity and inclusion.
        These principles help determine what content is included in YouTube
    Kids. We also use these principles to determine which high-quality
    content we raise up in our recommendations on YouTube. This means that
    when you're watching content for kids and families on YouTube, we aim
    to recommend videos that are age-appropriate, educational, and inspire
    creativity and imagination.
        At the same time, we use these principles to reduce kids content
    that is low-quality (but doesn't violate our Community Guidelines) in
    our recommendations on YouTube, and remove channels from YouTube Kids.
    Examples of this content include videos that are heavily commercial or
    promotional, or encourage negative behaviors or attitudes. Our work
    here is ongoing and we regularly reevaluate and update our systems and
    policies.
    Reward Trusted Creators
        We set a higher bar for what channels can make money on YouTube. In
    addition to our Community Guidelines, creators also need to follow our
    monetization policies to join the YouTube Partner Program (YPP), which
    allows creators to monetize their videos. Every channel applying to YPP
    undergoes review by a trained rater to make sure it meets our policies
    and we continually keep these guidelines current. We also regularly
    review and remove channels that don't comply with our policies.
        Earlier this month, we shared additional monetization policies--
    which align with the quality principles discussed above--for channels
    that primarily create kids and family content on YouTube. Going
    forward, these principles will have not only an impact on
    recommendations and inclusion in YouTube Kids, but also on
    monetization.
        Channels that primarily target young audiences need to deliver
    high-quality content and comply with kids-specific monetization
    policies. For example, channels that have predominantly low-quality
    kids content may be suspended from YPP. If an individual video violates
    these quality principles, it may see limited or no ads.
                 YOUTUBE KIDS & YOUTUBE SUPERVISED EXPERIENCES
        In 2015, we created YouTube Kids as a way for kids to more safely
    explore their interests and curiosity while providing parents more
    tools to control and customize the experience for their families.
    Videos on YouTube Kids include popular children's videos, diverse new
    content, and content from trusted partners. Our approach to determining
    eligibility in YouTube Kids is to first identify a very small subset of
    channels that have a low likelihood of uploading inappropriate content
    from the full YouTube corpus of content that is available. A channel
    must meet our high-confidence criteria, such as the general absence of
    unsuitable themes (e.g., shocking or scary themes), spammy behavior,
    and unsafe or unhealthy content (e.g., glamorizing negative habits or
    unseemly behavior). SciShow Kids or Art for Kids Hub are good examples
    of channels that fit these criteria. This approach, which is intended
    to ensure high-quality and appropriate content is available for
    viewing, significantly narrows the universe of content that then must
    pass further machine-learning and human review based on the content
    safety policy guidelines.
        Because each child is unique, we also give parents the ability to
    fully customize what their kids watch. For example, parents can block a
    video or channel, can handpick which videos to make available for their
    kids, and also have an option to only allow content selected by trusted
    partners like PBS Kids and UNICEF.
        Our engineering and human reviewer teams continuously work together
    to ensure that these filters are working as intended, and that content
    is appropriate for children. Machine learning systems work to
    proactively detect violations, while human reviewers around the world
    quickly remove violations detected by the system or flagged by users.
    We are constantly working to improve our safeguards and offer more
    features to help parents create the right experience for their
    families.
        After we launched YouTube Kids, we heard from parents of older
    children that tweens and teens have different needs, which weren't
    being fully met by our products. That is why we've worked with parents
    and experts across the globe in areas related to child safety, child
    development, and digital literacy to develop a solution for parents of
    tweens and teens, which we call Supervised Experience.
        Supervised Experience launched in March 2021 on the main YouTube
    platform. Parents now have the option of choosing between three
    different content choices, content generally suitable for viewers aged
    9+ or 13+ and then the `Most of YouTube' option. `Most of YouTube'
    excludes all age-restricted content (18+) on the main platform. To be
    clear, kids under 13 who are not in a Supervised Experience are not
    allowed on YouTube. We took action on more than 7M accounts the first 3
    quarters of 2021 when we learned they may belong to a user under the
    age of 13--3M of those in Q3 alone as we have ramped up our automated
    removal efforts.
        When a parent opens a supervised Google account, their child's
    experience feels much like regular YouTube, but certain features are
    disabled for younger audiences. For example, we don't serve
    personalized ads. We also have clear guidelines that prohibit certain
    types of advertising on Supervised Experiences, which include ads
    related to weight loss and diets or ads for dating sites. YouTube
    supervised experiences also have disabled in-app purchases, as well as
    features such as uploading videos or livestreams and reading or writing
    comments.
        To help parents understand more about the YouTube Supervised
    Experience, we developed this guide, building on Google's successful Be
    Internet Awesome digital literacy resources, and in partnership with
    the National PTA, Parent Zone UK and other leading experts. We will
    continue to partner with these and other groups to provide easy to use
    resources specifically for parents to help them keep their kids safe
    online.
                             CHILD SAFETY POLICIES
        YouTube has long had policies that prohibit content that endangers
    the emotional and physical well-being of minors. We remove content that
    could cause minor participants or viewers emotional distress, content
    showing a minor participating in dangerous activities or encouraging
    minors to do dangerous activities, and content that involves
    cyberbullying or harassment involving minors. We also remove sexually
    explicit content featuring minors and content that sexually exploits
    minors, and report this content to the National Center for Missing and
    Exploited Children. In the first half of this year YouTube made over
    120,000 such reports.
        YouTube also has policies prohibiting content that promotes suicide
    or self-harm. We remove content promoting or glorifying suicide,
    content providing instructions on how to self-harm or die by suicide
    and content containing graphic images of self-harm posted to shock or
    disgust viewers. The Stanford Internet Observatory \1\ recently
    highlighted how we handle searches related to self-harm and suicidal
    ideation, writing that they were ``impressed that YouTube's Community
    Guidelines on suicide and self-injury provide resources, including
    hotlines and websites, for those having thoughts of suicide or self-
    harm, for 27 countries.''
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \1\  https://cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/io/self-harm-policies-report
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Sometimes content doesn't violate our policies, but it may not be
    appropriate for viewers under 18. In these cases, we may place an age-
    restriction on the video. Age-restricted videos are not viewable to
    users who are under 18 years of age or signed out.
        In addition to these specially designed policies, YouTube treats
    personal information from anyone watching children's content on the
    platform as coming from a child, regardless of the age of the user.
    This means that on videos classified as ``made for kids'', we limit
    data collection and use, and as a result, we restrict or disable some
    product features. For example, we do not serve personalized ads on this
    content on our main YouTube platform and we do not support features
    such as comments, live chat, notification bell, stories, and save to
    playlist. To be clear, we have never allowed personalized advertising
    on YouTube Kids or YouTube's Supervised Experience.
        Our efforts to protect children go beyond our platform, and include
    our efforts to enable others in industry to better protect children as
    well. In 2015, we introduced CSAI Match--a proprietary technology
    developed by our teams that detects and removes child sexual abuse
    imagery--or CSAI--online. CSAI content is given a unique digital
    fingerprint, which is then used to detect duplicate copies across our
    platforms, and matched against a list of known fingerprints. While
    existing technologies like PhotoDNA, which focused on still images,
    CSAI Match was and is industry leading in its focus on identifying CSAI
    in video. CSAI Match is also resistant to manipulation, so it
    dramatically increases the number of violative videos that can be
    detected. With hundreds of hours of content uploaded every minute, CSAI
    Match helps us to quickly identify and remove known CSAI at scale.
        We share CSAI Match technology with the industry, free of charge,
    and have partnered with companies and NGOs, including some on this
    panel today, as well as Adobe, Reddit, and Tumblr, allowing them and
    others to prevent the distribution of these videos on their platforms
    as well. Once CSAI Match is integrated, it can help our industry
    partners quickly identify harmful content, minimizing the number of
    people exposed to it and better safeguarding the privacy of victims of
    CSAI. We're committed to expanding our partnerships to help prevent the
    spread of this abusive material, both on and off our platform, on a
    global scale.
        We recognize that protecting children from abuse is a mission that
    no one company, industry or part of society, can accomplish alone. We
    were proud to have been part of the group of companies who contributed
    our expertise to the Five Country Ministerial Forum in developing the
    Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Abuse and
    Exploitation. These principles provide an ambitious roadmap for
    companies of all sizes and stages of development to identify, prevent
    and report CSAI.
        We also partner with others through the Technology Coalition--an
    organization made up of 24 members representing different parts of the
    industry. Through the Technology Coalition we work with stakeholders
    around the world to help advance cutting-edge research, technology
    innovation, and sharing of knowledge and best practice on how to
    prevent, detect and report child sexual abuse and exploitation. The
    Tech Coalition recently announced the funding of five global research
    projects to help increase our understanding and awareness of how to use
    artificial intelligence to combat child sexual exploitation at scale.
                               DIGITAL WELLBEING
        The relationship between technology use and physical and mental
    wellbeing is complex, especially for children and young people. Recent
    studies have highlighted that digital media use can help teens
    communicate with peers and family, seek helpful resources if they are
    experiencing distress, and find opportunities for learning and
    entertainment that can help combat isolation.\2\ \3\ \4\ Original
    content like the Workout Badges helps encourage playful movement even
    when kids are stuck at home. These are opportunities that have become
    even more important to young people and families during COVID-19, when
    organizations as diverse as ministries of education to local churches
    have used YouTube to help families stay connected.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \2\  https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/05/31/teens-social-
    media-technology-2018/
        \3\ https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/coping-with-covid19-
    how-young-people-use-digital-media-to-manage-their-mental-health
        \4\ https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/uploads/
    pdfs/tweens-teens-tech-and-mental-health-full-report-final-for-web1.pdf
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Fostering a sense of wellbeing on and offline is incredibly
    important to us. We do this by highlighting content that helps kids
    learn, play and do, encouraging them to be mindful of the time they
    spend on screens. As described earlier, we prioritize content that
    helps kids stay safe and healthy, and understand the world around them.
    For example we have featured content in YouTube Kids that help kids
    learn about how viruses are spread, or videos that prepare them to
    return to school.
        We also create tools, built into our systems, that help kids and
    their parents set healthy limits. For teens and for those in our
    YouTube Supervised Experience and in YouTube Kids, autoplay is now off
    by default. We've also added an autoplay option on YouTube Kids and
    turned autoplay off by default in the app. In the coming months, we'll
    be launching additional parental controls in the YouTube Kids app,
    including the ability for a parent to choose a ``locked'' default
    autoplay setting. Our ``Take a Break'' reminders and bedtime settings
    are also on by default in these experiences. In addition, we have
    worked with creators to develop a series of PSAs to help children
    reflect on the time they spend online, and build empathy for others.
                                   CONCLUSION
        There is no issue more important than the safety and wellbeing of
    our kids online, and we are committed to working closely with you to
    address these challenges. I again would like to thank you for the
    opportunity to appear today and look forward to answering your
    questions.

        Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Ms. Miller. We are going to do
    5 minute rounds. We have votes at 11 o'clock, we have three
    votes, but I think we will be able to juggle the questioning
    and the testimony, and if necessary, we will take a short
    recess. Let me begin, as you know, by now, in August, Senator
    Blackburn and I wrote to Facebook asking whether they had done
    any research, whether they had any facts that showed harm to
    children.
        In effect, they denied it, they dodged the question. They
    disclaimed that Instagram is harmful to teens. Let me ask you,
    and I think it is pretty much a yes or no question, the same
    question that we asked Facebook, have any of your companies
    conducted research on whether your apps can have a negative
    effect on children's or teen's mental health or well-being, and
    whether your apps promote addiction like these? Have you done
    that research? Ms. Stout?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, we have conducted research. Much of our
    research is focused on our products and how we can improve our
    products and services to really meet the needs of our users and
    our community. And as I mentioned in my opening testimony, some
    of the research that we did shows that 95 percent of users say
    that Snapchat makes them happy.
        Senator Blumenthal. Will you make that research available
    to the Subcommittee?
        Ms. Stout. Yes, Senator, we would.
        Senator Blumenthal. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, thank you for the question. We
    believe that research should be done in a transparent way, and
    for us, we partner with external experts and stakeholders to
    get their feedback. And we think that is something that
    everybody can work together on. And additionally, we have
    actually supported passage of the Camera Act, which would have
    additional funding at NIH, and we would love to see this done
    in an external way, in a transparent way.
        Senator Blumenthal. Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Yes, Senator, we work with experts to leverage
    their insights and research to make sure that our product and
    policy decisions are up to date based on their insights.
        Senator Blumenthal. Now, I have asked whether the research
    has been done that could show negative effects or addictive
    like impacts. You have all indicated that you have done that
    research, and Ms. Stout has indicated that her company will
    make it available. I am assuming Mr. Beckerman, you--your
    company will. You are nodding. And Ms. Miller?
        Ms. Miller. Yes, Senator, we have published some research
    and we would make additional available.
        Senator Blumenthal. Let me add--ask now about the black box
    algorithms. As you know, these algorithms exist, they function
    to drive sometimes toxic content at kids. More of it and more
    extreme versions of it. The consequences are potentially
    catastrophic, but the companies are in effect, grading their
    own homework. They are evaluating their own effects on kids
    when it comes to addiction and harms.
        Let me ask you a similar question, do you provide external
    independent researchers with access to your algorithms, data
    sets, and data privacy practices? In other words, if an
    academic researcher comes to you on child psychology and wants
    to determine whether one of your products causes teen mental
    health issues or addiction, could they get access to raw data
    from you without interference? Ms. Stout?
        Ms. Stout. So, Senator, I think it is important to remember
    that on Snapchat, algorithms work very differently. Very little
    of our content is sorted algorithmically----
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, I am going to apologize because I
    am going to interrupt just to say, the question is about access
    to independent researchers on those algorithms that you do use.
    And there is no question that you have algorithms, correct?
        Ms. Stout. Correct, Senator. We do have algorithms, but
    they just operate very differently. To your question on whether
    we have had any requests for outside researchers or mental
    health specialists to come and access that, to my knowledge, we
    have not, Senator.
        Senator Blumenthal. But you would provide access to them?
        Ms. Stout. Yes, I think it is important to understand that
    algorithms for us just operate differently. So it is--to
    compare them against different platforms just would mean very
    different things.
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, that is one of the facts that an
    independent or external researcher would verify, whether----
        Ms. Stout. Indeed.
        Senator Blumenthal.--they are different and how they are
    different if they are. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes Senator, we believe that transparency
    for the algorithm is incredibly important. We were one of the
    first companies to publish publicly a deep dove in how our
    algorithm works. We have also open transparency and
    accountability centers where you invite outside experts and we
    invite you, Senator, and your staff to come in and see exactly
    how the algorithm works.
        Additionally, it is important to give additional choice to
    people. And in your feed, for example, on TikTok, if you are
    not interested, you can indicate that. And we are adding
    additional tools to give choice and transparency to individuals
    as they are using TikTok.
        Senator Blumenthal. So external access, OK. Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, we are very transparent as it relates
    to the way in which our machine learning works. For example, we
    have a quarterly transparency report that summarizes the videos
    and channels that we removed based on violating our community
    guidelines. Earlier this year, we rolled out an additional
    statistic called the violative view rate----
        Senator Blumenthal. Again, I really apologize for
    interrupting. The question is whether you provide external
    independent researchers with access to your algorithms and data
    sets and data privacy protection--you allow external
    researchers----
        Ms. Miller. We regularly--I am sorry, Senator.
        Senator Blumenthal. You provide that access?
        Ms. Miller. We regularly partner with experts, for example,
    in child development, mental health to work with----
        Senator Blumenthal. They are experts chosen by you. If
    somebody independent came to you and wanted that access, yes or
    no, would you permit it?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, it would depend on the details, but we
    are always looking to partner with experts in these important
    fields.
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, I am going to cite the difference
    between your response and Mr. Beckerman's and Ms. Stout's,
    which indicates certainly a strong hesitancy, if not
    resistance, to providing access. Let me ask you, Ms. Miller, I
    think one of the issues here really relates to the claim that
    these sites are transparent and truthful, which is belied by
    our actual experience and the fact that they favor regulation.
        In the case of Facebook, they have mounted armies of
    lawyers, paid millions of dollars to fight regulation, whether
    it is the EARN IT Act and other responsible reforms to Section
    230 or privacy legislation or requirements to be more
    transparent on algorithms. According to the details made public
    last week, in a multi-state antitrust case, Google has,
    ``sought a coordinated effort to forestall and diminish child
    privacy protections in proposed regulations by the FTC and
    legislation.''
        That filing described attempts to encourage Facebook and
    Microsoft to fight privacy rules and back down on advocacy for
    legislation, in particular meeting where that exchange
    occurred. This disclosure made news, but everybody in D.C.
    really knew what was true. What was new is that Google's
    hypocrisy was finally called out. The fact is that Google and
    YouTube have been fighting against privacy behind the scenes
    for years. It is hidden in plain sight. It is an open secret.
        You have been lobbying the FTC to weaken our existing
    privacy rule. You spent vast sums of money fighting
    California's privacy rules. I want to ask you, Ms. Miller, what
    work has YouTube done to lobby against Congress strengthening
    online protections for children? And is that report and that
    claim by the multi-state plaintiffs accurate?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I understand that the material that
    you are referencing was regarding our point of view on e-
    privacy legislation in Europe. Our CEO, Sundar Pichai, has
    regularly called for comprehensive privacy legislation in the
    U.S.
        And on behalf of YouTube, I am not aware of any efforts
    other than to be involved in conversations in a multi-
    stakeholder way as it relates to any legislation or bills that
    are being introduced regarding the oversight or regulation of
    companies such as YouTube.
        Senator Blumenthal. So you are saying that these reports
    about political pressure and lobbying against children's
    privacy and safeguards are just totally false?
        Ms. Miller. I think that we work with lawmakers such as
    yourself regularly to have conversations to share what we are
    doing on the platform, the updated protections we are putting
    in place, but also to hear your concerns and to work with you
    as you contemplate new regulations.
        Senator Blumenthal. Will you commit that you will support
    privacy legislation, as has been proposed?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I am not deeply involved in the
    details of any specific privacy legislation, but I commit that
    we will work with you and partner with you on Federal privacy
    legislation.
        Senator Blumenthal. Would you support a ban on targeted
    advertising to children and young teens?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, at YouTube, we prohibit personalized
    advertising in YouTube Kids, as well as in supervised
    experiences.
        Senator Blumenthal. Would you support a ban in law?
        Ms. Miller. We have not waited for laws in order to put
    those types of protections in place.
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, I hope that you will and that you
    will be perhaps more forthcoming in the next round of
    questioning. I will turn to the Ranking Member.
        Senator Blackburn. And thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr.
    Beckerman, I want to come to you first. In the past, TikTok has
    said that it has never, nor would it ever share and provide
    user data to the Chinese Government, even if asked. Yet your
    privacy policy says you can disclose data collected to respond
    to Government inquiries.
        It also says you share data you collect with your parent
    companies and affiliates, and that you transmit user
    information to servers and data centers overseas. And earlier
    this year, the Chinese Communist Party acquired an ownership
    stake and a seat on the board of ByteDance. So does TikTok
    share user data with its parent company, ByteDance?
        Mr. Beckerman. Thank you, Senator. This is an important
    question, and I am glad you are asking. TikTok does not----
        Senator Blackburn. Quickly.
        Mr. Beckerman. Excuse me?
        Senator Blackburn. Quickly, please.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator, we do not share information
    with the Chinese Government, and I would like to point you to a
    Citizen Lab report, which is one of the most well-respected
    global National Security experts, where they said our research
    shows that there is no overt data transmission to the Chinese
    Government and our testing TikTok did not contact any servers
    within China.
        And then the report goes on to state, Senator, that TikTok
    does not pose a threat to National Security, and I am happy to
    submit that report for the record.
        Senator Blackburn. Let me ask you--please submit the report
    for the record. Do any ByteDance employees have access to
    TikTok user data or any role in creating their algorithm?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, U.S. user data is stored in the
    United States, our backups are in Singapore, and we have a
    world renowned U.S. based security team that handles access to
    the data.
        Senator Blackburn. I understand that you say you store it
    in Singapore. Tell me about programmers, product developers,
    and the data teams. Are they housed in China?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, like many technology companies, we
    have engineers in the United States and throughout--and around
    the world.
        Senator Blackburn. And so they have access to algorithms
    and data?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, we have engineers in the United
    States, and we also have engineers----
        Senator Blackburn. That answer is yes. What about Douyin?
    ByteDance says they are fully separate, but do Douyin employees
    have any access to TikTok user data or input into the
    algorithm?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, that is a completely different app
    from TikTok and----
        Senator Blackburn. No, it is a related company, you might
    want to check that. If the Chinese Communist Party ask you for
    U.S. user data, what is to stop you from providing it since
    they have a seat on the board of ByteDance and they have a
    financial stake in the company?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, that is not accurate. One, they do
    not have a stake in TikTok at all.
        Senator Blackburn. Oh, yes they do. It happened in August.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, that is not accurate.
        Senator Blackburn. That is ByteDance and let's--we can
    clarify that for the record. But the record is that the Chinese
    Communist Party acquired a stake in ByteDance in August, and
    they now have a seat on the board. So let's talk about TikTok's
    privacy policy. It says you collect and keep a wide variety of
    information, including biometric data such as face prints,
    voice prints, geolocation information, browsing and search
    history, not just on TikTok, but on other apps, and keystroke
    patterns and rhythms. Why do you need all of this personal
    data, especially on our children, which seems to be more than
    any other platform collects?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, many outside researchers and
    experts to look at this have pointed out that TikTok actually
    collects less data than many of our peers. And on the keystroke
    issue----
        Senator Blackburn. Outside researchers that you are paying
    for?
        Mr. Beckerman. No, Senator.
        Senator Blackburn. You would submit that to independent
    outside researchers? Because what we are seeing with all of
    this biometric data and the keystroke patterns, that you are
    exceeding that. So what do you do with this? Are you creating a
    virtual you of the children that are on your site?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I don't know what you mean by
    virtual you.
        Senator Blackburn. Well, a virtual you is you in your
    presence online. It is like a virtual dossier. I am sure you
    understand that term. And what do you need with all of this
    information?
        Do you track children's viewing patterns? Are you building
    a replication of where they go, their search history, their
    voice, their biometrics? And why does TikTok and ByteDance and
    Douyin need that information on our children?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, TikTok is an entertainment platform
    where people watch and enjoy and create short form videos. It
    is about uplifting and entertaining content. People love it.
    And I disagree with the characterization of the way----
        Senator Blackburn. That is it from the positive. But there
    is also a negative, and the negative is that you are building a
    profile, a virtual you of our children because of the data that
    you are collecting. You mentioned the family, parent provision
    that you have. So when you have a parent that goes on that, are
    they opening their data to TikTok, and is TikTok following them
    or following and capturing their search history?
        See Mr. Beckerman, when you capture all of this data and
    you hold all of this data, then you are invading the property--
    the private--the privacy of individuals that are on your site.
    And that applies to you, to Ms. Stout, to Ms. Miller. Because
    you are--you say because you are using the platform, we can do
    this.
        But in essence, what you are doing is making our children
    and their data--you are making that the product, because you
    turn around and you sell it and then basically it becomes
    weaponized against their users. Mr. Chairman, I am over time. I
    have several questions for Ms. Stout and Ms. Miller. And we
    will do those in the second round.
        Senator Blumenthal. We will have a second round. Senator
    Klobuchar.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA

        Senator Klobuchar. Thank you to both of you. Reports
    indicate that nearly half of kids 9 to 12 and a third of kids
    aged 7 to 9 use social media platforms like Facebook,
    Instagram, Snap, TikTok, YouTube. I don't think parents are
    going to stand by while our kids and our democracy become
    collateral damage to a profit game. And I heard last night Mark
    Zuckerberg's words to his earnings and his earnings report.
        And while he may be out there acting as a victim at his $29
    billion quarter earnings report meeting, the true victims, the
    true victims, the mom in Duluth who can't get her kid off
    Facebook to do her homework, the dad mourning losing a child to
    a Snap speed filter that measured him, echoing the kid at going
    123 miles per hour trying to beat the filter, or a child
    exposed to content glorifying eating disorders on TikTok. So I
    have had a case right in my state, two cases actually of young
    people who got drugs through Snap, and I wanted to first start
    out with that, with you, Ms. Stout.
        This is a story--there are two kids, Devin Norring and Ryan
    McPherson. Devin's story, he was suffering from dental pain at
    the beginning of the pandemic. He couldn't go in to see a
    doctor. He had been given a Percocet before, and a classmate
    said he had a Percocet. Well, what this young man did not know
    is that this Percocet was laced with fentanyl, and he died just
    like that. As his mom said in a letter to me, all of the hopes
    and dreams we as parents had for Devin were erased in the blink
    of an eye.
        A group of parents, including Devin's mother, Bridgett,
    demanded answers and accountability from Snap on this issue in
    a letter to you in September. Ms. Stout, I want to know what
    the answers are. Will you commit to providing more information
    about the automated tools Snap uses to proactively search for
    illegal drug related content as the parents ask?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, I very much appreciate you raising this
    issue because it has been a devastating crisis that has been
    afflicting our young people. I want to make clear, we are
    absolutely determined to remove all drug dealers from Snapchat,
    and we have been very public about our efforts in this space.
    First of all, we have stepped up our operational efforts, and
    my heart goes out to the family of Devin Norring.
        I have met with Bridget Norring. I met with her back in
    April. I heard from her and other families to understand what
    is happening to them, their experience, and also what is
    happening on Snapchat. We have stepped up and we have deployed
    proactive detection measures to get ahead of what the drug
    dealers are doing. They are constantly evading our tactics, not
    just on Snapchat, but on every platform.
        We have also stepped up our work with law enforcement. Just
    last week, we had a law enforcement summit where we gathered
    over 2,000 members of law enforcement across the country so
    that we can understand what they are dealing with and find out
    best practices on how we can get them the information they need
    to help their investigation.
        And finally, Senator, this is so important, but we have
    deployed in education and awareness campaign because what is
    happening on our platforms all across social media and
    technology platforms is that young people who are suffering
    from mental health and stress, induced by the pandemic and
    other issues, they are reaching for substances, oftentimes
    pills and opioids, but these substances are laced with
    fentanyl, enough fentanyl to kill them----
        Senator Klobuchar. But here is my problem, is that if a kid
    had just walked into, say, a pharmacy, you wouldn't be able to
    buy that or get that. But in this case, they can get on your
    platform and just find a way to buy it. And that is the
    problem.
        And I guess I want to know, are you going to get your
    drugs--I appreciate everything you said. I appreciate you
    meeting with the mom. Are you going to get drugs off Snapchat
    when you have all these kids, half the kids in America read--
    looking at these platforms?
        Ms. Stout. I assure you, this is such a top priority for
    our entire company. And Senator, it is not just happening on
    our platform, it is happening on others. So therefore, we need
    to work collectively with other platforms, the other companies
    that are here today----
        Senator Klobuchar. That is good.
        Ms. Stout.--to work together.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK, thank you. I think there is other
    ways to do this too, as creating liability when this happens so
    maybe that will make you work even faster, so we don't lose
    another kid. Mr. Beckerman, recent investigation by The Wall
    Street Journal found that TikTok's algorithm can push young
    users into content glorifying eating disorders, drug violence.
    Have you stopped that?
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator. I don't agree with the way The
    Wall Street Journal went about that, but with that said, we
    have made a number of improvements to the way people can have
    control over the algorithm and have age appropriate content on
    TikTok.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK. And what are those changes like? Are
    they still getting--they are completely protected now from this
    content?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, the content related to drugs, as
    you are as you are pointing out, violates our community
    guidelines. As it relates to minors safety, over 97 percent of
    violative content is removed proactively. Of course, we want to
    get to 100 percent, and it is something that we are constantly
    working on.
        Senator Klobuchar. Did you--are you aware of any research
    studies your company has conducted about how your apps may push
    content promoting eating disorders to teens?
        Mr. Beckerman. No, Senator.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK. Did you ask for any turtle studies
    on eating disorders before testifying?
        Mr. Beckerman. Not that I am aware of, but we do work with
    outside experts to understand all of these issues. I think it
    should be done in a transparent way. As I mentioned earlier, I
    would love to see the Camera Act passed so we can have
    additional research in the public domain that all of us can
    learn from and improve.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK, I will save my questions for Ms.
    Miller for the next round. Thank you.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Senator Klobuchar. And again, I
    would remind everyone that you have committed to provide the
    research that you just referred to in your responses to Senator
    Klobuchar. All of you have committed to provide that research,
    and we will look forward to receiving it within days or weeks,
    not months. And I particularly appreciate Senator Klobuchar's
    reference to creating liability as a strong incentive, which
    would involve reform of Section 230. I understand----
        Senator Klobuchar. And Mr. Chair, if I could put this
    letter in from the parents into the record.
        Senator Blumenthal. Without objection.
        [The information referred to follows:]

                            7 Sep 2021 | Amy Neville

                            A LETTER TO EVAN AT SNAP
    Summary: Our open letter to Evan Spiegel of SnapChat
    PRESS RELEASE
        Aliso Viejo, CA (September 7, 2021)--A group of seven parents whose
    children died from counterfeit pills sold by drug dealers on Snapchat
    publicly demanded that the social media giant measure and report their
    response to law enforcement and the removal of drug dealers from the
    platform.
        In the letter signed by eight families, parents specifically wanted
    Snapchat to measure and report to the public its response time to valid
    law enforcement requests. ``Nobody is asking them to fulfill requests
    that don't go through proper legal channels,'' said Amy Neville, mother
    of murdered 14-year-old Alex Neville, ``but days can mean more deaths
    if drug dealers who have deadly fake pills aren't identified when law
    enforcement requests it. We need to know that they are processing these
    with the urgency that lives are at stake.''
        Amy Neville and other families participated in a meeting where
    Snapchat stated that they weren't adequately staffed to respond to law
    enforcement requests quickly.
        The letter also demands that Snapchat measure their program to find
    and remove drug dealers from the platform and refer these individuals
    to law enforcement proactively. ``If Snapchat discovers evidence that
    someone is dealing drugs on its platform, it must bring law enforcement
    in.'' said Jaime Puerta, father of murdered sixteen-year-old Daniel
    Puerta. ``If they just remove their account quietly and they keep
    dealing and someone dies, Snapchat is morally responsible for that
    death.''
        The letter asks that Snapchat convene a nine-member oversight
    committee of outside experts in law enforcement, public health and
    safety, and parents whose children have been harmed to review policies,
    procedures, and enforcement of Snapchat's efforts to clean up its
    platform.
                                     ______

                     OUR LETTER TO EVAN SPIEGEL AT SNAP INC
    Evan Spiegel, CEO
    Michael O'Sullivan, General Counsel
    2772 Donald Douglas Loop N
    Santa Monica, CA 90405

    September 7, 2021

        We, the undersigned, lost our children to opioids sold by dealers
    on Snapchat--a platform that caters to users too young to understand
    the opioid crisis or the risks of counterfeit pills. All social media
    platforms have a moral responsibility to the young people that use them
    and we believe they must take that responsibility seriously.
        We ask that you take the following steps to publicly address the
    danger of criminal behavior on your platform.
    Responsiveness to law enforcement
        We write today because some of the investigations into our own
    children's deaths have encountered resistance to law enforcement
    requests for information because, as Snapchat representatives told us,
    they are not adequately resourced to be responsive enough.
    Proactive measures to stop drug trafficking
        All social media platforms should have proactive programs that
    include automated software to search for evidence of drug dealing,
    human review, and referral to law enforcement when such activity is
    found.
        We have heard rumors that Snapchat may use such technology, but we
    seek a formal declaration of its use and commitment to law enforcement
    referrals. Without the power of law enforcement referrals, criminals
    can simply continue their activities with new accounts on the service.
    Screening of business profiles
        Social media companies must carefully scrutinize accounts that
    advertise and perform other business functions on their platforms to
    avoid a repeat of the problems Google experienced in 2011. Snapchat
    should ensure that only NABP-approved pharmacies are permitted to
    promote pharmaceutical products to U.S. residents. Violators should be
    referred to the FDA's Office of Criminal Investigation.
    External transparency committee to evaluate Snapchat's efforts
        Snapchat drug dealers are preying on young people across the
    country, and public sources have already linked these sellers to deaths
    in fifteen states. Snapchat needs oversight and transparency to
    reassure parents that it is accountable to protect our children on the
    platform.
        We call on Snapchat to establish a transparency committee of nine
    individuals, three drawn from Federal and state narcotics law
    enforcement, three from parents who have lost children to Snapchat drug
    dealers, and three with an expertise in the area of public health. The
    committee would receive redacted quarterly reports that show:

       The date Snapchat received each law enforcement request.

       The date Shapchat fulfilled that request. (If multiple
            fulfilments were required, list the date of each of those and
            the date of the final fulfillment.)

       The reason any specific request was not fulfilled.

       The number of criminal referrals sent to law enforcement and
            the agencies the referrals were sent to.

       The number of business accounts terminated or suspended for
            drug-trafficking criminal behavior.

        It is assumed that information about each law enforcement request
    will be sufficiently redacted to protect the integrity of active
    investigations.
        Our families have suffered a great deal of pain as a result of drug
    dealers on Snapchat, and our children have died. Snapchat's verbal
    commitments, genuine good will, and public service messaging efforts
    are welcome, but the potential for more harm screams for transparency
    and oversight. We call upon Snapchat to demonstrate that they are doing
    the work to protect the young users of their platform.

    Amy Neville
    Mother of Alexander Neville, 14
    Murdered by a fentanyl-based fake oxycodone sold by Snapchat drug
    dealer, 2020

    Jaime Puerta
    Father of Daniel Joseph Puerta-Johnson, 16
    Murdered by counterfeit blue M30 oxycodone pill sold by Snapchat drug
    dealer, 2020

    Maria Ortega
    Mother of Adrian De Jesus, 19
    Murdered by a fentanyl-based counterfeit oxycodone sold by Snapchat
    drug dealer in 2020

    Christine Capelouto
    Mother of Alexandra Capelouto, 20
    Murdered by counterfeit blue M30 oxycodone pill sold by Snapchat drug
    dealer, 2019
    Poisoned and Killed with a fentanyl based counterfeit ecstasy pill sold
    by a drug dealer on Snapchat, 2020.
            VOID is a non-profit organization located in California

        Senator Klobuchar. Thank you.
        Senator Blumenthal. We have been joined by Senator Cantwell
    remotely.
        The Chair. Mr. Chairman, I would defer to my colleagues,
    Senator Markey and Senator Baldwin.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thanks very much. Senator Markey.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. EDWARD MARKEY,
                    U.S. SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS

        Senator Markey. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, very
    much. The problem is clear, big tech preys on children and
    teens to make more money. Now is the time for the legislative
    solutions to these problems, and that starts with privacy. I
    have introduced bipartisan legislation to give children and
    teens a privacy bill of rights for the 21st century. Today, a
    13 year old girl on these apps has no privacy rights.
        She has no ability to say no, no, you can't gobble up data
    about me. No, you can't use that data to power algorithms that
    push toxic content toward me. No, you can't profile me to
    manipulate me and keep me glued to your apps. No. You have no
    rights. 13 year old girl in the United States of America in the
    year 2021.
        My bipartisan Children and Teens Online Privacy Protection
    Act gives 13, 14, and 15 year olds that right to say no. To
    each witness, do you support my legislation to update the
    Children's Online Privacy Protection Act to give that 13, 14,
    and 15 year old control of their data? Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Senator Markey, I just want to say that we
    absolutely support a Federal privacy proposal, and we have
    worked very hard with members of this body to try to----
        Senator Markey. Do you support my child protection--my teen
    protection law? Do you support it?
        Ms. Stout. I think--so, Senator, we agree that there should
    be additional protections put against young people to protect
    them further from----
        Senator Markey. Right, so you have had a chance to look at
    the child online privacy protection update that I have
    introduced. It has been out there for years. Do you support it
    or not?
        Ms. Stout. I think, Senator, we would love to talk to you a
    bit more about some of the issues----
        Senator Markey. No, I want to talk--this is just what
    drives us crazy. We want to talk. We want to talk. We want to
    talk. This bill has been out there for years, and you still
    don't have a view on it. Do you support it or not?
        Ms. Stout. I think there are things that we would like to
    work with you on, Senator.
        Senator Markey. Listen, this this is just the all game--Mr.
    Beckerman, do you support the Child Online Privacy Protection
    Act being updated the way my legislation does?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I want to thank you for your
    leadership on this issue. It has been very important. Yes, we
    agree that COPPA needs to be updated, particularly as it
    relates to the way age verification happens across the
    internet. It is an area that I think has been not given as much
    attention as it deserves. We do agree that COPPA does need to
    be updated.
        Senator Markey. Do you support my legislation to update it?
    You have had plenty of time to look at it.
        Mr. Beckerman. I--we like your approach. However, I think a
    piece that should be included is a better way to verify age
    across the internet, across apps, rather than the system that
    is in place now. And I think with that improvement, it would be
    something that we would be happy to support.
        Senator Markey. OK. Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, we also support the goals of updated
    comprehensive privacy legislation. On your specific bill, I
    know we have had conversations with your staff in a
    constructive manner and I would welcome continuing to do that.
        Senator Markey. Yes, but it is going to happen soon because
    this is a crisis that--thank you, Senator Blumenthal. Thank
    you. Congresswoman Blackburn, this has just surfaced in a way
    that is clear that we don't have any more time. We have to get
    this finished. Your platforms are full of young teens.
        Among young teens, 49 percent say they are on TikTok, 52
    percent say they are on Snapchat, 81 percent say they are on
    YouTube. And those users, those 13 year olds, they deserve the
    right to say, no, you can't track me. You all--you agree with
    that, Ms. Stout? You can't track me. Do you agree with that?
        Ms. Stout. Yes, I agree with that.
        Senator Markey. Do you agree with that, Mr. Beckerman?
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator.
        Senator Markey. Do you agree with that, Ms. Miller?
        Ms. Miller. Yes, Senator, we have tools for all of our
    users to handle and control and make choices as it relates to
    the information that is gathered.
        Senator Markey. The bill also would ban targeted ads to
    children, apps that should never be allowed to track a 10 year
    old's browsing history and bombard him with ads based on that
    data. Ms. Miller, you said that YouTube Kids platform prohibits
    targeted ads to children. Do you agree that Congress must ban
    targeted ads to children?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I defer to you and your peers in terms
    of what you would want to move forward, but again, we have not
    waited for laws like this----
        Senator Markey. No, I am saying to you, would you support
    to make sure there is a uniform banning of this practice? If
    you have already adopted it as a company, would you support
    that being the standard that we have for all platforms across
    the country?
        Ms. Miller. As you describe it, it is consistent with the
    approach we have already taken.
        Senator Markey. And you would support it, is that what you
    are saying?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, again, we are already doing this and
    would support it consistent----
        Senator Markey. No, I am asking you. Would you--no, we are
    trying to draft the law here. Would you support that provision
    being in a law, to prohibit it?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, yes, as we already prohibit targeted
    advertising----
        Senator Markey. OK, that is all we are trying to do, just
    get to yes so that we can legislate it--so that we can
    legislate. Mr. Beckerman, Ms. Stout, same question, should
    kids--ban targeted ads to kids?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, we offer those tools already where kids
    can opt out and not have targeted ads served to them.
        Senator Markey. Would you support that as a national law,
    that we ban it?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, an example of that has been the age
    appropriate design code, which we adhere to. And I can tell
    you, Senator, we are looking at exactly that model to apply it
    elsewhere----
        Senator Markey. Do you support it as a law that this body
    passes this year just to prohibit it? If you say it is wrong,
    should we prohibit it?
        Ms. Stout. We offer those, and we agree with the approach,
    so----
        Senator Markey. So yes, you do support it? Yes or no?
        Ms. Stout. I mean, we agree with your approach. So we are
    applying it to more----
        Senator Markey. I appreciate what you are doing. Right, we
    are now trying to say, if you support it then we just wouldn't
    want to prohibit anyone else from doing it. Yes?
        Ms. Stout. I think we are very close, Senator. Yes.
        Senator Markey. Very close. OK, Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator. And I would also say that we
    should go beyond that. And part of the approach that we have
    taken is certain categories of ads shouldn't be shown to
    teenagers and young adults at all, and I think that should be
    part of the approach as well.
        Senator Markey. OK, so we also need to go beyond privacy
    and tackle to design features that harm young people, take
    ``like'' buttons. As Senator Blumenthal and I have a bill, the
    Kids Act, which would ban these and other features that
    quantify popularity.
        The research is clear, these features turned apps into
    virtual popularity contests and are linked to feelings of
    rejection, low self-worth, and depression. Even YouTube Kids
    has acknowledged this problem and does not have like buttons.
    To each witness, should Congress ban features that quantify
    popularity for kids? Yes or no?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, as I mentioned in my opening statement,
    we don't have those metrics. We have never had a like button or
    comments because we don't think it should be a popularity
    contest, but we support that.
        Senator Markey. So you would support that? OK. Mr.
    Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I think this one is one that we
    should--it is a little bit more complex. I would be happy to
    have a conversation, but we have implemented much of the age
    appropriate design code here in the United States and would
    encourage similar measures.
        Senator Markey. So, you--I don't know that there was any
    answer in that. Would--you said it is complicated. Do you
    support banning it or not?
        Mr. Beckerman. On banning likes?
        Senator Markey. Likes, yes.
        Mr. Beckerman. I mean--I think if you want to set it by age
    that is something that we could look at.
        Senator Markey. Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, as you noted, we already prohibit
    things on YouTube Kids such as being able to comment, and we
    would support working with you in regulation in this area.
        Senator Markey. OK, well, you would support working with
    us, but would you support banning likes?
        Ms. Miller. Yes, Senator. Again, we already do not allow
    for this on the YouTube--YouTube Kids platform.
        Senator Markey. And again, the American Academy of
    Pediatrics just declared a national state of emergency for
    children and teen mental health. We need to outlaw the online
    features that exacerbate this crisis. The question that, you
    know, we have to answer ultimately is, you know, whether or
    not, for example, we are going to ban auto play for kids.
        With this feature, when one video ends, another quickly
    begins. Kids stay glued to their phones, so apps collect more
    data and make more money. Today, 82 percent of parents are
    worried about their kids screen. Time to each of you today, do
    you agree that Congress should ban auto play for kids? Yes or
    no? Ms. Miller, we will start with you this time.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, each of the items that you are
    outlining, we already prohibit. We do--we have auto default--
    excuse me, the default set to auto play off on YouTube Kids, as
    well as for supervised experiences.
        Senator Markey. OK, so you would support that being
    legislated?
        Ms. Miller. Yes, sir.
        Senator Markey. OK. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. First Senator, we have take a break videos
    and time management tools. But as it relates to auto play, on
    TikTok, you have to proactively switch to the next video.
        Senator Markey. So would you support that legislation
    passing then which would ban auto play?
        Mr. Beckerman. We would be happy to look at it and talk to
    you about it.
        Senator Markey. You don't do it.
        Mr. Beckerman. Again, I think it is important, as we look
    at age appropriate features for teens, it is something that we
    build in TikTok proactively. But again, as we look at
    legislation, I do think a first step is something about--around
    age verification across apps.
        Senator Markey. Again, this is the historic problem. Yes,
    Ms. Stout, would you support it?
        Ms. Stout. Senator Markey, I don't believe we have auto
    play on Snapchat, so I would defer and say that that is
    something we need to look at more closely. And I am not
    familiar with that piece of the proposal in your legislation.
        Senator Markey. OK, great. We have a lot of work to do. And
    we have to telescope the timeframe, I think, Mr. Chairman, to
    get these people to finally----
        Senator Blumenthal. Telescoping the time-frame sounds good.
        Senator Markey.--finally start acting--thank you, Mr.
    Chairman.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Thanks, Senator Markey.
    Thanks for all your good work. Senator Baldwin--or actually, I
    see Senator Cantwell is here. Oh, sorry, Senator. OK.

                     STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN THUNE,
                     U.S. SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA

        Senator Thune. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We all know social
    media offers a lot of benefits and opportunities, but like has
    been expressed this morning, I have concerns about the lack of
    transparency online and limited accountability of big tech
    companies.
        And one of the major problems with social media that has
    been increasingly concerning is social media platforms' use of
    algorithms to shape and manipulate user experience resulting in
    individuals being trapped in what we call the filter bubble.
    The filter bubble can be particularly troubling for younger
    users.
        For example, a recent Wall Street Journal article described
    in detail how TikTok's algorithm serves up sex and drug videos
    to minors. I have a bill, the Filter Bubble Transparency Act,
    and another bill called the Pact Act that would make
    significant strides in addressing the lack of transparency
    online.
        And importantly, the Filter Bubble Transparency Act would
    give consumers the option to engage with Internet platforms
    without being manipulated by opaque algorithms. So let me just
    ask you, do you believe consumers should be able to use social
    media platforms without being manipulated by algorithms
    designed to keep them engaged on the platform? Mr. Beckerman
    let's start with you, and then we will go with Ms. Miller and
    Ms. Stout.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator, we agree that there needs to
    be transparency in the way algorithms work and additional
    choice for individuals as they are using them.
        Senator Thune. Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, we do provide transparency in the way
    that our systems and practices work.
        Senator Thune. Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Senator Thune, it is important to understand
    that what we apply algorithms to is a very small set of
    content, and we do provide transparency to our users where
    users get to select interest categories that then determine the
    kind of content that they are served up. But it is not an
    unlimited list or set of user generated content. It is quite
    narrow.
        Senator Thune. But I don't know that you or Ms. Miller
    really answered the question. That is, should consumers who use
    these social media platforms be able to use them without being
    manipulated by algorithms?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, yes, I agree with you.
        Senator Thune. Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Yes, Senator.
        Senator Thune. Mr. Beckerman, what is your response to the
    Wall Street Journal article that described in detail how
    TikTok's algorithm serves up sex and drug videos to minors?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, thank you for the question. Sex and
    drugs are violations of our community guidelines and have no
    place on TikTok. As it relates to the Wall Street Journal
    article, we disagree with that being an authentic experience
    that an actual user would have.
        Senator Thune. Your platform is perhaps more driven by
    algorithms in any other social media platform available today,
    more so even than Facebook. Unlike Facebook, TikTok's
    algorithms not constrained by a user's social network. On July
    29, 2020, TikTok's former CEO Kevin Mayer, wrote, and I quote,
    ``that we believe all companies should disclose their
    algorithms, moderation policies, and data flows to
    regulators.''
        TikTok also states on its website that it makes TikTok
    source code available for testing and evaluation to guests at
    its transparency and accountability center. Has TikTok
    disclosed their algorithms, moderation policies, and data flows
    to any Federal or State regulators?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, yes. I mean, as we pointed out, we
    do have these transparency centers and we have done I don't
    think over 100 tours with members of Senator staff and others
    in the U.S. Government, and we would be happy to continue to be
    transparent in how that works.
        Senator Thune. And I think maybe that Senator Blumenthal
    maybe touched on this. But in keeping with TikTok's disclosure
    practices announced in July 2020, would you commit to providing
    TikTok's algorithms, moderation policies, and data flows to
    this committee so that we may have independent experts review
    them?
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, sir.
        Senator Thune. Thank you. Ms. Miller, does YouTube engage
    in efforts to change its users' attitudes, behaviors, or
    influence its users in any way?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, when users come to YouTube, they come
    to search and discover all types of content. For example, how
    to bake bread, to watch a church service, or to do exercise.
    And as a result, they are introduced to a diversity of content
    that isn't based on a particular network that they are a part
    of.
        In so doing, there may be additional videos that are
    recommended to them based on some signals. But those signals
    will be overrided [sic] if they--to make sure that we are not
    recommending harmful content.
        Senator Thune. Back to Mr. Beckerman. All Chinese Internet
    companies are compelled by China's national intelligence law to
    turn over any and all data that the Government demands, and
    that power is not limited by China's borders. Has TikTok
    provided data to the Chinese Government on Chinese persons
    living in the United States or elsewhere outside of China?
        Mr. Beckerman. No, Senator. TikTok is also not available in
    China. And as I like to point out, that our servers with U.S.
    data are stored in the United States.
        Senator Thune. Does TikTok censor videos of tank man, the
    famous video of the young man who stood his ground in front of
    a procession of Chinese army tanks during the 1989 Tiananmen
    Square crackdown in Beijing?
        Mr. Beckerman. No, Senator. You can--you can find that
    content on TikTok if you search for it.
        Senator Thune. Mr. Chairman, I would suggest that, as has
    already been pointed out on the Committee, that I think there
    are a number of things that we need to address. Congress needs
    to be heard from in this space and particularly with respect to
    the use of algorithms and the way that users are manipulated,
    and as you all have already pointed out, particularly young
    people. So I hope that we can move quickly and directly and in
    a meaningful way to address this issue. Thank you.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. I think we have strong
    bipartisan consensus on that issue. Thank you, Senator Thune.
    Senator Baldwin.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY BALDWIN,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN

        Senator Baldwin. Thank you, Chairman Blumenthal. I would
    like to just note that the series of hearings really began with
    the revelation that internal research at Facebook revealed the
    negative impacts on teenagers' body images from using the
    company's Instagram platform. And we learned, based on research
    by the Chairman's staff, how quickly somebody on Instagram can
    go from viewing content on healthy eating to being directed
    toward postings that focus on unhealthy practices, including
    glorifying eating disorders.
        I know we don't have Facebook and Instagram before us
    today, but I am particularly concerned about the impact that
    that type of content can have on young users. I recently joined
    Senators Klobuchar and Capito, with whom we sponsored the Adam
    Weston Act legislation to support training and education on
    eating disorders, on a letter to Facebook and Instagram seeking
    more details about how they handle this issue.
        But I want to ask each of you, can you briefly outline the
    steps your companies are taking to remove content that promotes
    unhealthy body image and eating disorders and direct users to
    supportive resources instead? And in particular, how are you
    focusing on this issue with regard to your younger users? Why
    don't we start with Mr. Beckerman and TikTok?
        Mr. Beckerman. Thank you, Senator. I myself have two young
    daughters, and this is something that I care a lot about in our
    teams at TikTok hear a lot about. One, I want to show you we do
    aggressively remove content like you are describing that would
    be problematic for eating disorders and problem eating.
        Second, we work with outside groups and direct people that
    are seeking help. And one thing we have heard is that people
    who are struggling with eating disorders or other weight loss
    issues come to TikTok to express themselves in a positive way.
    And so it has been a more of a positive source. And last, we
    don't allow ads that target people based on weight loss and
    that kind of content.
        Senator Baldwin. Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Thank you, Senator Baldwin. I want to make clear
    that the content that you describe, content that glorifies
    eating disorders or self-harm is a complete violation of our
    community guidelines. Also, as I described earlier, we don't
    allow unvetted, unmoderated content from being surfaced up to
    our users.
        Discover, which is our media publisher platform, which we
    partner on with people and publishing companies like The Wall
    Street Journal or NBC News, all of that content is vetted and
    moderated ahead of time. But specifically----
        Senator Baldwin. Can I interrupt and ask, is that done
    through AI or humans?
        Ms. Stout. No. These are handpicked partners that Snapchat
    has selected to say in this closed garden of content, which is
    Discover, we will allow certain publishers and media companies
    to provide news, entertainment content, ESPN or CMT or, you
    know, The Washington Post, in fact, so users can come look at
    that content.
        It is all pre-moderated and curated, so it is not an
    unlimited source of user generated content where you could go
    down a rabbit hole, perhaps, and access that kind of hurtful,
    damaging content on body image. But I think you raise a very
    interesting question, what are the products that you are
    surfacing?
        How are we helping users find positive resources? And as a
    result, we did conduct research about the mental health effects
    of body image and self-harm, and we created a product called
    Here for You. This was created in 2020 in the height of the
    pandemic. When users are in Snapchat and they search anorexia
    or eating disorder, instead of perhaps being led to content
    that could be harmful, that content, which is against our
    guidelines, we now surface expert resources that show content
    that can help that user, maybe help them, maybe help their
    friends.
        So this is a redirection of that kind of search for
    potentially hurtful and harmful content that then steers the
    user to resources that may help them or a member of their, you
    know, circle of friends.
        Senator Baldwin. Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, we take a comprehensive and really
    holistic approach on topics like these. We prohibit content
    that promotes or glorifies things such as eating disorders. It
    has no place on our platform. But we also realize that users
    come to share their stories about these experiences or find a
    community, let alone to find authoritative sources, which is
    what we raise up on searches like this.
        In addition, we also roll out programs and initiatives such
    as the With Me campaign, whereby we are encouraging users to
    spend their time, particularly during COVID, in pursuing
    healthy habits. So we look at this in a very holistic way to
    make sure that YouTube is a platform where people come and they
    have a healthy experience, and we again prohibit the type of
    content that glorifies or promotes these issues, such as eating
    disorders.
        Senator Baldwin. And just if I can follow up the same way I
    did with Ms. Stout, when you remove content, how are you
    filtering that out? Are you using artificial intelligence or
    are you using a team of humans who are--a team of people who
    are looking at that content and deciding whether to remove it
    or not?
        Ms. Miller. It is a mix, Senator. So it is a mix of when we
    develop content policies, we rely on experts to inform the
    development of these policies and then we have machine learning
    to help us capture this type of content at scale. You will see
    in our quarterly transparency report that more than 90 percent
    of content that violates our community guidelines are flagged
    originally by machines. And then there is a mix of human
    reviewers.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON

        The Chair. Thank you. I want to thank the, Senator
    Blumenthal and Senator Blackburn for holding the Subcommittee
    hearing, and as witnesses can see, our colleagues are well-
    informed and very anxious to get legislative fixes to things
    that they think are crucial to protecting individuals and
    protecting people's privacy, so I want to thank them for that.
        Yesterday, Motherboard Vice had an article that--basically
    the headline was location data from GPS data from apps are
    given even when people have opted out. So basically, they are--
    I am going to enter this for the record, unless there is
    objection, but ``the news highlights a stark problem that
    smartphone users, that they can't actually be sure if some apps
    are respecting their explicit preferences around data sharing.
    The data transfer presents an issue for the location data
    companies themselves.''
        So basically, these companies are reporting information
    about location, even when people have explicitly opted out. And
    so they are continuing to collect this information. That is
    what the reported researchers and Motherboard found. So I have
    a question, do you believe that location data is sensitive data
    and should be collected only with consumers' consent? All the
    witnesses, please.
        Ms. Stout. Yes, Senator, we agree.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator, agree.
        Ms. Miller. Yes, Senator. And for users, they have access
    to their account under my activity and my account and can
    modify their settings, delete their history, and things of that
    nature. It is all just one click away.
        The Chair. So any Federal privacy law should make sure that
    that is adhered to. I see a nod--is that----
        Ms. Miller. Yes, Senator.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator.
        Ms. Stout. Yes.
        The Chair. OK, thank you. Do any of you share location data
    with the company that is in this article? It is Huk--I think H-
    U-K. They are a major data----
        Ms. Stout. Senator, I have never heard of that company. I
    am not aware.
        The Chair. OK.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I am not aware of the company, but
    we also don't collect GPS data.
        The Chair. Well, it would be--you would be affiliated with
    them in some way. I mean, they are getting this information
    anyway. So I am sorry, the last witness, if you. Do you know--
    --
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I am also not aware of----
        The Chair. OK. Maybe you can--maybe you can help us for the
    record on this so that we know. But this is exactly what the
    public is frustrated about and concerned about, particularly
    when harm can be done, that, you know, they go to a website,
    they say to the website, I don't want my sensitive information
    to be shared, and then there is this conglomerate of data
    gathering on top of that, that is not honoring those wishes as
    it relates to the interface with those apps.
        So this is, I think, exactly why we need a strong privacy
    law and why we should, you know, protect consumers on this. In
    the Facebook hearing we had, we had this discussion about
    advertising, and the issue of whether advertisers knew exactly
    what the content was that was being advertised.
        Now I get that, you know, we are also seeing a migration of
    major companies like Procter & Gamble and others who are moving
    off of the Internet because there is the--they are like, I am
    done with it. I don't want my ad--because it is now run by a
    system. I don't want my ad just appearing next to certain kinds
    of content.
        And so but what was more startling is that there may be
    actual deceptive practices here where people are saying, oh,
    this content, is this when in reality it is something else. In
    some of these cases we just discussed with Facebook,
    objectionable hate speech and content that we don't even think
    should be online.
        And yet, that is not what the advertisers knew. So on your
    websites, do advertisers know what they are--what content they
    are being placed next to?
        Ms. Stout. So, Senator, I can respond to your question.
    Yes, our advertisers do know where they are advertising--their
    advertisements show up. And as I had mentioned in Discover,
    which is that closed curated garden, those advertisements
    appear next to publishers and verified users that we have hand-
    selected to allow to appear.
        So on a platform like Snapchat, there is no broadcast
    disinformation or hate speech, and that is why I think Snapchat
    is in fact, a very appealing place for advertisers because they
    know their advertisements will be placed next to safe content.
        The Chair. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senators. Advertisers come to TikTok
    particularly because our content is known for being so
    authentic and uplifting and fun. And you know, we see ads that
    are very much like TikTok videos, which are the same themes.
        The Chair. Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, we have worked with our advertising
    partners over the years to make sure that they have trust in
    the fact that advertising on YouTube is safe for their brands
    in the same way that we have worked significantly to make sure
    that users themselves have a safe experience on the platform.
        And the advertising associations have recognized the work
    that we have done in this space so that their brands are safe
    on the platform.
        The Chair. Thank you. I will probably have a follow up on
    this, but Senator Lee.

                      STATEMENT OF HON. MIKE LEE,
                         U.S. SENATOR FROM UTAH

        Senator Lee. Thank you, Madam Chair. Ms. Miller, I would
    like to start with you if that is all right. Want to ask you a
    particular question regarding YouTube's app age rating. And
    now, Google Play has the app rating set at Teen, meaning 13 and
    up, while the Apple Store has it rated as 17 and up. Could you
    tell me why this disparity exists?
        That is, if Apple determined that the age rating for
    YouTube ought to be 17 and up, why did Google determine that
    its own app should be rated as Teen, meaning 13 and up?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I am unfamiliar with the differences
    that you have just outlined, but I would be happy to follow up
    with you and your staff once I get more details on this.
        Senator Lee. OK. Yes, I would love to know about that. Just
    it is a simple question, and I understand it you may not be
    able to answer it right now, if--as it sounds, you don't have
    the information. But I would just like to know why that
    difference exists and whether you agree or disagree with the
    fact that Google has created its own app as 13 and up while
    Apple has rated it 17 and up. But I am happy to follow up on
    that in writing or otherwise.
        Ms. Stout, I want to address a similar issue with regard to
    Snapchat. Now, Snapchat is rated 12 and up on Apple, and it is
    rated teen on the Google Play Store. Any idea where--why there
    is that disparity there?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, that is a very good question, and I--
    for some reason, I have heard somewhere the reason why Apple
    lists at 12 and up, it is an app that is intended for a teen
    audience.
        Senator Lee. Right. Why is there a disparity between the
    age rating and the content that is available on that platform?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, the content that appears on Snapchat is
    appropriate for an age group of 13 and above.
        Senator Lee. Yes, let's talk about that for a minute
    because I beg to differ. In anticipation of this discussion, of
    this hearing, I had my staff create a Snapchat account for a 13
    year old--for a 15 year old child. Now they didn't select any
    content preferences for the account. They simply entered a
    name, a birth year, and an e-mail address.
        And then when they opened the Discover page on Snapchat
    with its default settings, they were immediately bombarded with
    content that I can most politely describe as wildly
    inappropriate for a child, including recommendations for, among
    other things, an invite to play an online sexualized video game
    that is marketed itself to people who are 18 and up, tips on,
    ``why you shouldn't go to bars alone,'' notices for video games
    that are rated for ages 17 and up, and articles about porn
    stars.
        Now, let me remind you that this inappropriate content that
    has by default been recommended for a 15 year old child is
    something that was sent to them by an app just using the
    default settings. So I respectfully, but very strongly beg to
    differ on your characterization that the content is in fact
    suitable for children 13 and up, as you say.
        Now, according to your own website, Discover is a list of
    recommended stories. So how and why does Snapchat choose these
    inappropriate stories to recommend to children? How does that
    happen? How would that happen?
        Ms. Stout. So, Senator, allow me to explain a little bit
    about Discover. Discover really is a closed content platform.
    And yes, indeed, we do select, and hand select partners that we
    work with, and that kind of content is designed to appear on
    Discover and resonate with an audience that is 13 and above. I
    am unfamiliar and I have taken notes about what you have said
    that your account surfaced.
        I want to make clear that what--content and community
    guidelines suggest that any online sexual video game should be
    age gated to 18 and above. So I am unclear why that content
    would have shown up in an account that was for a 14 year old.
    But these community guidelines and publisher guidelines that
    are on top of those guidelines are intended to be an age
    appropriate experience for a 13 year old.
        Senator Lee. Right. I understand that you have these
    community guidelines that are there, that they note that
    advertisers and media partners in Discover agree to additional
    guidelines. What are these additional guidelines? And I mean, I
    can guess only that they permit these age inappropriate
    articles to be shared with children. How would that not be the
    case?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, so these additional guidelines on top
    of community guidelines are things that suggest they may not
    glorify violence that any news articles must be accurate, and
    fact checked. That there is no----
        Senator Lee. Well, I am sure the articles about the porn
    stars were accurate and fact checked, and I am sure that the
    tips on why you shouldn't go to bars alone are accurate and
    fact checked. But that is not my question. And this is about
    whether it is appropriate for children ages 13 and up, as you
    have certified?
        Ms. Stout. Absolutely. And Senator, I think this is an area
    where we are constantly evolving, and if there are any
    instances where these publishers are surfacing content to an
    age cohort that is inappropriate, then they will be removed
    from our platform.
        Senator Lee. OK, so you do review them? What kind of
    oversight you conduct on this and what----?
        Ms. Stout. We use a variety of human review as well as
    automated review. And so I would very much be interested in
    talking to you and your staff about what kind of content this
    was, because if it violates our guidelines, that kind of
    content would come down.
        And just Senator one last thing, while I would agree with
    you, tastes vary when it comes to the kind of content that is
    promoted on Discover, there is no content there that is
    illegal. There is no content there that is hurtful. I mean, it
    really is intended to be a closed ecosystem where we have
    better control over the type of content that surfaces.
        Senator Lee. Madam Chair, I just have one follow-up
    question. I just realized. I will be brief----
        The Chair. Yes, go ahead, Senator Lee. And then our
    colleague, Senator Lujan.
        Senator Lee. Thank you. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. So
    Snapchat has assured its users that it doesn't collect
    identifying data on them for advertising. How does Snapchat
    then decide what content is pushed to the top of their Discover
    page?
        Ms. Stout. So, Senator, if you go into your Snapchat
    account, you have the ability to select preferences, interest
    categories. And there are several interest categories that a
    user can select or unselect if they wish. That could be they
    like, you know, to watch movies, or they enjoy sports, or they
    are fans of country music.
        At any point, it is completely transparent, and a user has
    the ability to go in and select what they like, and that
    determines the kind of content that is surfaced to them. If
    there is any content that they don't like, they can uncheck or
    check, and that really generates the kind of content that a
    user in Discover would see.
        Senator Lee. My time has expired. Thank you so much, Madam
    Chair. I really do think we have got to get to the bottom of
    this--these app ratings here are inappropriate. We all know
    that there is content on Snapchat and on YouTube, among many
    other places that is not appropriate for children ages 12 or 13
    and up.
        The Chair. Well, I thank you, Senator Lee, and I would say
    to my line of questioning, and it is not appropriate to tell
    advertisers that it is not located next to content and then it
    is next to content that is inappropriate. Senator Lujan.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. BEN RAY LUJAN,
                      U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW MEXICO

        Senator Lujan. Thank you very much, Madam Chair. Ms. Stout,
    in your testimony, you mentioned that all content on Snapchat,
    on the Spotlight page is human reviewed before it can be viewed
    by more than 25 people. Ms. Stout, yes or no, does human review
    help Snapchat reduce the spread of potentially harmful content?
        Ms. Stout. Yes, Senator, we believe it does.
        Senator Lujan. And I appreciate Snapchat's approach to this
    problem. More platforms should work to stop harmful content
    from going viral. However, far too often we find companies say
    one thing to Congress and then once attention is diverted and
    the public is distracted, they go around and do the very thing
    they were warning us against. Can I hold you to that? Will
    Snapchat continue to keep a human in the loop before content is
    algorithmically promoted to large audiences?
        Ms. Stout. Well, Senator, this is the first time I have
    testified here before Congress, so please hold me to it. But,
    at Snapchat, we have taken a very human moderation first
    approach, not just on spotlight, but across our platforms. So
    yes, indeed, human moderation will continue to play a huge part
    of how we moderate content on our platform and how we keep our
    users safe.
        Senator Lujan. I am glad to see the importance of platforms
    taking responsibility before they amplify content and
    especially publish it to a mass audience, and it is something
    that many of us share. It is why I introduced the Protecting
    Americans from Dangerous Algorithms Act as well. Online
    platforms must be responsible when they are actively promoting
    hateful and dangerous content.
        Ms. Miller, I am grateful that YouTube is making an effort
    to be more transparent regarding the number of users that view
    content in violation of your community guidelines. However, I
    am concerned with one trend. Earlier this year, I wrote a
    letter to YouTube with 25 of my colleagues on the crisis of
    non-English misinformation on the platform. We need to make
    sure all communities, no matter the language they use at home,
    have the same access to good, reliable information.
        Ms. Miller, will YouTube publish its violative view rates
    broken down by language?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, thank you for your question, and what
    you are referring to is this latest data point that we shared
    earlier this year in which for every 10,000 views on YouTube,
    19 to 21 of those views are of content that is violative. And
    we apply our content policies at a global scale across
    languages. We do not preference any one language over another.
    And this includes for the violative view rate.
        Senator Lujan. And Ms. Miller, I don't believe that's good
    enough. When we don't break algorithms down by their
    performances across different groups of people, we end up
    making existing gaps, existing biases worse. We have seen this
    with facial recognition technology that unfairly targeted
    communities of color. And according to reports, we are seeing
    this happen right now on YouTube. So I will ask again, will
    YouTube publish its violative view rate broken down by
    language?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I would be happy to follow up with you
    to talk through these details, as I said, for all of our
    content policies and the enforcement there within and the
    transparency we provide. It is global in scope, and it is
    across languages.
        Senator Lujan. I definitely look forward to following up
    and working with you in that space. Mr. Beckerman, before
    launching TikTok for younger users, did TikTok do any internal
    research to understand the impact it would have on young
    children?
        Mr. Beckerman. Thank you, Senator. I am not aware, but for
    TikTok, for younger users, the content is curated with common
    sense networks, and it is an age appropriate experience, but I
    am not aware of any specific research.
        Senator Lujan. I would like to follow up on that as well.
    Products like TikTok can lead to addictive behavior and body
    image issues in young children, and it is critical that
    platforms work to understand these problems before they take
    place. This is a very serious issue, and it is one that is
    finally getting the attention that it deserves with revelations
    and whistleblowers that have come forth. I urge you to take
    this opportunity to begin a transparent public evaluation of
    the impact your product is having on young children.
        And in the end, I just want to follow up on something that
    many of us have commented on leading up to these important
    hearings, and I appreciate the Chair's attention to this, the
    Ranking Member, both of them have authored legislation. Our
    Chair and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee have also
    partnered on legislative initiatives. It is critically
    important that we continue moving forward and that we markup
    legislation and get something adopted. And I am certainly
    hopeful that here in the United States, we are paying attention
    to what is happening in other parts of the world.
        Again, Europe is outpacing the United States and being
    responsible with legislative initiatives surrounding protecting
    their consumers. There is no reason we can't do that here as
    well, and I just want to thank Chair Cantwell for the work that
    she has been doing in this particular space, and I definitely
    look forward to working with everyone to make sure that we are
    able to get this done here in the United States. Thank you so
    much and I yield back.
        The Chair. Senator Lujan, so you have reintroduced that
    bill in the Senate. Is that right? So, OK, thank you. Very much
    appreciate that and appreciate your leadership. So the
    witnesses--We are waiting on the return of Senator Blumenthal,
    so I could go and vote. If he doesn't come in the next minute
    or so, we will just take a short recess because we are way past
    time to get over there. But I want to thank all the members who
    have participated thus far because we have had a very robust
    discussion today.
        You can see that this is a topic that the members of this
    committee feel very, very passionately about and obviously
    believe that there is much more that we need to be doing in
    this particular area. So I appreciate everybody's attendance
    and focus, and again, want to thank Senator Blumenthal and
    Senator Blackburn for their leadership in having both of these
    hearings. And for the larger full committee, we had planned to,
    you know, move forward on many of these agenda items anyway,
    but we are very appreciative of the Subcommittee doing some of
    this work and having members have a chance to have very
    detailed interactions on these policies that we need to take
    action on. So very much appreciate that. So I see Senator
    Blumenthal has returned. Thank you so much and I will turn it
    over to you.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Chairman Cantwell, and
    thanks for your excellent work on this issue. I would like to
    ask some additional questions on legislative proposals. One of
    the suggestions that Senator Klobuchar raised was legal
    responsibility and liability, which, as you know, is now
    precluded by Section 230.
        Let me ask each of you, would you support responsible
    measures like the EARN IT Act, which I have proposed, to impose
    some legal responsibility and liability, cutting back on the
    immunity that Section 230 affords? Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Senator, we agree in Snapchat that there should
    be an update to the intermediary platform liability laws,
    CDA230, and in fact, the last time this body addressed a
    reform, which was for the SESTA/FOSTA, Snapchat was a company
    that actively participated in that and helped draft
    legislation. So we would welcome another opportunity, Senator,
    to work with you on that.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Would you support the EARN
    IT Act, which, as you know, Senator Graham and I have proposed
    it imposes liability and affords victims the opportunity to
    take action against platforms that engage in child pornography
    and related abuses?
        Ms. Stout. Of course, Senator, we completely prohibit that
    kind of activity, that illegal activity, and we actively look
    for it. And when we find it, we remove it. If you would allow
    me to get back to, it has been a while since I have looked at
    the EARN IT Act. I do recall when you and Senator Graham
    introduced it. But I believe that the spirit of your
    legislation is something we would very much support.
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, you had the opportunity before to
    say whether you supported it. So far, you haven't. Will you
    commit to supporting it?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, I again, my memory is failing me a
    little bit, but I do believe that the provisions in the EARN IT
    Act were many of the provisions that we supported, so I would
    be happy to come back with a more specific answer for you.
        Senator Blumenthal. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Thank you, Senator. We do agree that there
    needs to be a higher degree of accountability and
    responsibility for platforms, particularly as it relates to
    content moderation, that needs to be done in a way that allows
    all platforms to moderate in an appropriate and aggressive way
    to make sure that the kinds of content that none of us want to
    see on the Internet or on any of our platforms is able to be
    removed.
        Senator Blumenthal. Do you support changes in Section 230
    to impose liability?
        Mr. Beckerman. There absolutely can and should be changes.
    But again, in a way that would allow companies like ours that
    are good actors, that are aggressively moderating our platform
    in a way that we think is responsible, to be able to continue
    to do so.
        Senator Blumenthal. Will you support the EARN IT Act?
        Mr. Beckerman. We would be happy--again, we agree with the
    spirit of it, and we would be happy to work with you and your
    staff on that bill.
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, the bill again was reported
    unanimously out of the Judiciary committee during the last
    session. It hasn't changed significantly. Did you support it
    then?
        Mr. Beckerman. I think the concern would be unintended
    consequences that would lead to hampering a company's ability
    to remove and police violative content on platforms.
        Senator Blumenthal. Is that a yes or a no?
        Mr. Beckerman. It is a maybe.
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, so far we have two maybes. Ms.
    Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I am aware of a number of proposals
    regarding potential updates to 230, and me and my team, as well
    as the other teams across Google, have been involved in the
    conversations regarding these various proposals.
        I would just like to say, though, that we see 230 as the
    backbone of the internet, and it is what allows us to moderate
    content, to make sure that we are taking down content that
    leads to potentially eating disorders, for example, what we
    have been talking about here earlier, or self-harm.
        So we want to make sure that we continue to have
    protections in place so we can moderate our platforms so that
    they are safe and healthy for users. I am aware of the EARN IT
    Act, and I know again that our staffs have been speaking, but I
    understand I think there is still ongoing discussions regarding
    some portions of the proposal.
        But we also very much appreciate and understand the
    rationale as to why this was introduced, particularly around
    the area of child safety.
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, again, is that a yes or no? Do
    you support it?
        Ms. Miller. We support the goals of the EARN IT Act, but
    there are some details that I think are still being discussed.
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, you know, as Senator Markey has
    said, this is the talk that we have seen again and again and
    again and again. We support the goals, but that is meaningless
    unless you support the legislation. And it took a fight,
    literally bare knuckle fight to get through legislation that
    made an exception under SESTA for liability on human
    trafficking. Just one small piece of reform. And I join in the
    frustration felt by many of my colleagues that good intentions,
    support for goals, endorsement of purposes is no substitute for
    actual endorsement.
        I would ask that each and every one of you support the EARN
    IT Act, but also other specific measures that will provide for
    legal responsibility. And I think I know what Ms. Miller means
    by the claim that Section 230 provides a backbone, but it is a
    backbone without any real spine right now, because all it does
    is afford virtually limitless immunity to the Internet and to
    the companies that are here. I am going to interrupt my second
    round and call on Senator Cruz.

                      STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,
                        U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS

        Senator Cruz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Beckerman, thank
    you for being here today. I understand this is the first time
    that TikTok is testifying before Congress. And I appreciate you
    making the company available to finally answer some questions.
    In your testimony, you talked about all the things you say
    TikTok is doing to protect kids online. And that is great.
        But I want to discuss the broader issue here, which is the
    control the Chinese Communist Party has over TikTok, its parent
    company ByteDance, and its sister companies like Beijing
    ByteDance Technology. Now TikTok has stated repeatedly that it
    doesn't share the data it collects from Americans with the
    Chinese Communist Party, and that it wouldn't do so if asked.
    It has also stated that with regards to data collected on and
    from Americans that data is stored in Virginia with a backup in
    Singapore.
        But these denials may in fact be misleading. A quick look
    at TikTok's privacy policy, in fact, just last night shows
    there is a lot more than meets the eyes. For example, in the
    ``how we share your information'' section, one blurb reads,
    ``we may share all of the information we collect with a parent,
    subsidiary, or other affiliate of our corporate group.''
    Interestingly, in June of this year, the privacy policy was
    updated to state that TikTok, ``may collect biometric
    identifiers and biometric information as defined under U.S.
    laws such as face prints and voice prints.''
        Mr. Beckerman, does TikTok, consider ByteDance, the parent
    company of TikTok, which is headquartered in Beijing, to be a
    part of TikTok's ``corporate group'' as that term is used in
    your privacy policy?
        Mr. Beckerman. Thank you, Senator. This is an important
    question. I would just like to take an opportunity first to
    clear up misconceptions around some of the accusations that
    have been leveled against the company. I would like to point to
    independent research. I understand that trust needs to be
    earned----
        Senator Cruz. Mr. Beckerman, I get you may have brought a
    point you want to make. My question is simple and
    straightforward, does TiKTok consider ByteDance, the parent
    company headquartered in Beijing, to be part of TikTok's
    corporate group? That is a yes or no.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, access controls for our data is
    done by our U.S. teams, and as independent researchers,
    independent experts have pointed out, the data that TikTok has
    on the app is not of a National Security importance and is of
    low sensitivity. But again, we do hold that to a high standard,
    and we have access control----
        Senator Cruz. Mr. Beckerman, we are going to try a third
    time because the words that came out of your mouth have no
    relation to the question you were asked. Your privacy policy
    says you will share information with your corporate group. I am
    asking a very simple question, is ByteDance, your parent
    company headquartered in Beijing, part of your corporate group?
    Yes or no, as you use the term in your privacy policy?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I think it is important that I
    address the broader point in your statement.
        Senator Cruz. So are you willing to answer the question,
    yes or no? It is a yes or no question. Are they part of your
    corporate group or not?
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator, it is.
        Senator Cruz. Yes it is. OK. So under your privacy policy,
    you are explicitly stating that you may be sharing data with
    them, including biometric identifiers, including face prints,
    including voice prints. Is that correct?
        Mr. Beckerman. No Senator, in the privacy policy it says
    that, if we are to collect biometric information, which we do
    not collect biometric data to identify Americans, we would
    provide consent and opportunity for consent first.
        Senator Cruz. But you also say we may share all of the
    information we collect with a parent, subsidiary, or other
    affiliate of our corporate group, which means with ByteDance
    headquartered in Beijing, correct?
        Mr. Beckerman. Under U.S. access control, sir.
        Senator Cruz. Alright. Second, what about Beijing ByteDance
    technology, which media reports from earlier this year showed
    Beijing took a minority stake in through a State backed
    internet investment Chinese entity, and on the board of which
    now sits Wu Shuguang, a CCP official who spent most of his
    career in Chinese propaganda, including with a stint at the
    Online Opinion Bureau under the Cyberspace Administration of
    China, China's Internet regulator.
        Would you consider Beijing ByteDance technology to be a
    part of TikTok's corporate group with whom TikTok would share
    all of the information it collects?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I want to be clear that that entity
    has no affiliation with TikTok. It is based for domestic
    licenses of the business in China that is not affiliated or
    connected to TikTok.
        Senator Cruz. So are you saying no or--yes or no, as to
    whether Beijing ByteDance technology is part of your corporate
    group as the privacy policy defines it, it says we may share
    all of the information we collect with a parent, subsidiary or
    other affiliate, and presumably that is where it would fall,
    other affiliate of our corporate group. Is Beijing ByteDance
    Technology a ``other affiliate'' of your corporate group?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I am saying that entity deals with
    domestic businesses within China----
        Senator Cruz. You are having a hard time. You are answering
    questions I am not asking. Again, it is a yes, no, is Beijing
    ByteDance technology a ``other affiliate'' of your corporate
    group as your own privacy policy defines it?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I am just trying to be clear to
    answer your question. That entity is based in China for the
    Chinese business that is not affiliated or connected with
    TikTok.
        Senator Cruz. So that is twice you haven't answered.
    Let's--last time you did it on the third time so let's try it
    again. Again, it is a yes, no.
        Mr. Beckerman. The answer is the same, Senator.
        Senator Cruz. Which is?
        Mr. Beckerman. What I just said, that that entity is----
        Senator Cruz. What you just said did not answer the
    question. Let me just repeat the question again. Is Beijing
    ByteDance technology a ``other affiliate of our corporate
    group,'' as your privacy policy defines it, yes or no?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, as I stated, that entity does not
    have any relation to the TikTok entity.
        Senator Cruz. So, I will point out it took three questions
    to get you to answer about your parent. You finally answered
    yes that you can share all your information with your parent
    company based in Beijing. I have asked you three times about
    this sister company that is obviously another affiliate.
        You have refused three times. That may be revealing. Often,
    as Sherlock Holmes observed about the dogs that do not bark, it
    may be revealing that the Chinese propaganda minister that is
    serving on your sister company and that has been in the
    business of online propaganda, you are refusing to answer
    whether they fall under your privacy policy. That reveals, I
    think, a great deal, unfortunately.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, with all due respect. I am just
    trying to be accurate here. There is a lot of accusations that
    are just not true, and I want to make sure that it is clear----
        Senator Cruz. OK, I am going to give you one more chance
    and my time is over, but look, in baseball, three strikes, you
    are out. Tonight, the Astros are going to begin winning the
    World Series. Let's see if a fourth strike, you could actually
    answer the question. And it is a simple yes, no. Is Beijing
    ByteDance Technology, a ``other affiliate of our corporate
    group,'' as your privacy policy defines that term?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, as I pointed out before, my answer
    is the same.
        Senator Cruz. Yes or no? You didn't answer.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I appreciate your trying with
    gotcha questions. I mean----
        Senator Cruz. It is not a gotcha question. I am asking
    about your policy----
        Mr. Beckerman.--deceitful and inaccurate about----
        Senator Cruz. Are you willing to answer this question, yes
    or no?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I answered the question.
        Senator Cruz. You have not answered the question. Is it
    another affiliate, yes or no?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I stated a number of times that
    that entity is a domestic entity within China for licenses----
        Senator Cruz. And apples are red. You stated something that
    is not the question I asked. Is it another affiliate as defined
    under your privacy policy, yes or no?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I answered----
        Senator Cruz. You are here under oath. Are you going to
    answer the question--?
        Mr. Beckerman. I answered the question----
        Senator Cruz. Or were you instructed not to answer this
    question?
        Mr. Beckerman. No, Senator, I am just----
        Senator Cruz. So, you are just not refusing to answer it
    because you don't want to?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, it is not affiliated with TikTok.
    If that is your question, that is the answer.
        Senator Cruz. So, your answer. I want to be clear because
    you are under oath. Your answer is that Beijing ByteDance
    technology is not a ``other affiliate of our corporate group''
    as your privacy policy uses that term. This is a legal question
    with consequence.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I understand the question. As I
    pointed out, TikTok is not available in China. That is an
    entity that is for purposes of a license of a business in China
    that is not affiliated with TikTok.
        Senator Cruz. So for the record, you are refusing to answer
    the question.
        Mr. Beckerman. I believe I answered your question, Senator.
        Senator Cruz. Yes or no, tell me which one it is--just give
    me one word yes or no.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I answered--I answered the
    question.
        Senator Cruz. You are not willing to say yes or no.
        Mr. Beckerman. It was not a yes or no question. I want to
    be precise. I want to be----
        Senator Cruz. Is this company another affiliate as defined
    in your privacy policy? That is binary. There is not a maybe.
    It is yes or no.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, the way I answered, I am not aware
    that, that is the answer to the question.
        Senator Cruz. OK, so you are refusing to answer the
    question. That does not give this committee any confidence that
    TikTok is doing anything other than participating in Chinese
    propaganda and espionage on----
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, that is not accurate. And again, I
    would point you to----
        Senator Cruz. If it were if it were not accurate, you would
    answer the questions. And you have dodged the questions more
    than any witness I have seen in my 9 years serving in the
    Senate. That is saying something because witnesses often try to
    dodge questions. But you answer non-sequiturs and refuse to
    answer very simple questions. That, in my experience when a
    witness does that, it is because they are hiding something.
        Senator Blumenthal. Senator Moran.

                    STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,
                        U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS

        Senator Moran. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much. Let me
    turn to Ms. Stout and ask a question about data privacy. So,
    Senator Blumenthal and many others have been working on a
    consumer data privacy bill now for the last several years.
        I have introduced a bill that includes an appropriately
    scaled right for consumers to correct and erase data that is
    collected or processed by covered entities, including social
    media companies. Ms. Stout, I understand that Snap currently
    allows users the right to correct or delete their user data.
    Would you please explain Snap's decision to proactively provide
    this service?
        Ms. Stout. Thank you, Senator, for the question. And I just
    want to say we applaud the Committee and your leadership on
    this issue, and we fully support a Federal comprehensive
    privacy bill, and look forward to continuing to work with you
    and your staff on that. To address your question, yes, Senator,
    Snap has been designed with a very privacy centric focus from
    the very outset.
        We don't collect a lot of data. We believe in data
    minimization, short data retention periods. And to the effect
    that you just--you made, as you pointed out, we don't store
    content forever, and we believe in giving users transparency
    and control, which includes giving them the ability to delete
    their data if they wish or the ability to download their data.
    We have a tool within the app. Users are able to download their
    data, which gives them essentially portability of any kind of
    information that they may have agreed to share or post or put
    on their Snapchat account.
        Senator Moran. And other platforms who may not take the
    same position that Snap has, tell me what it is that you give
    up in your ability to earn revenue? What is it that you lose by
    doing that, if anything?
        Ms. Stout. So Senator, we make tradeoffs every day that
    sometimes disadvantage our bottom line. And there are no rules
    or regulations that require companies like Snap to have short
    retention periods. That is why Federal privacy legislation is
    so critical, or why we choose to voluntarily have a data
    minimization practice.
        So, oftentimes, that means that advertisers find other
    platforms perhaps more enticing because those platforms keep a
    history of anything that has ever been searched or ever been
    shared, or location data that has ever been provided. And that
    is not the case on Snapchat. So, that is a tradeoff Senator
    that we make because we believe in being more private----
        Senator Moran. Because if you did it, otherwise, what would
    you what would you gain by doing so?
        Ms. Stout. We just believe we have a moral responsibility
    to limit the data that we collect on people.
        Senator Moran. You are answering that fine. But I just I am
    curious to know, are you giving up---can you generate money?
    What do you generate by keeping that data than in some other
    way using it?
        Ms. Stout. Yes, I think we limit ourselves in our ability
    to optimize for those advertisements and make more money. And
    we are a company that has not yet turned a profit. We have
    invested every dollar back into our company and we are here for
    the long game, and our real ultimate desire is to make a
    platform that is safe for our community.
        Senator Moran. Thank you. And Mr. Beckerman, what
    responsibility do platforms have to prevent harmful social
    media trends from spreading? And how can TikTok improve its
    algorithm to better comply to TikTok's own terms of service
    that prohibit, ``content that promotes or enables'' criminal
    activity?
        Mr. Beckerman. Thank you, Senator. We do have a
    responsibility to moderate our platform, along with our
    community guidelines, and do that in a transparent way.
        Senator Moran. Where does that responsibility come from?
        Mr. Beckerman. It comes from doing the right thing. You
    know, for us, we want to be a trusted platform, we want to be a
    platform where people have a joyful experience and like coming
    to the app and that is what we are seeing. And that starts with
    our community guidelines.
        Certain content, like you mentioned illegal activities,
    misinformation, and other categories that you wouldn't allow on
    the platform, we work really hard. I think our content
    moderation teams and our safety teams are often the unsung
    heroes of the companies that are working every day, 24/7 to
    ensure that community guidelines are met, and the platform
    stays positive, joyful.
        Senator Moran. The nature of my second question, the ad-on
    question was leading because it suggests that you are not
    complying with your own terms of service that prohibit content
    that promotes or enables criminal activity. And my question
    was, how can you improve your algorithm to better accomplish
    that? Maybe you want to discount the premise of the question.
        Mr. Beckerman. No, Senator, I mean, it is an important area
    where we always want to get to 100 percent. We released regular
    transparency reports and 94 percent of our removals of
    violative content are done proactively. Much of it is done
    within 24 hours or before there is any views. But we always
    want to strive to get 100 percent, and that is something that
    we fight and work on every single day.
        Senator Moran. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman and Ranking
    Member Blackburn. I think the series of hearings that the
    Subcommittee is having are hugely important to the nature of
    our country and to its future. Thank you.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Senator Moran. Senator
    Blackburn.
        Senator Blackburn. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ms. Miller, I
    would like to come to you. You talk about moderation is a
    combination of machine learning and human review. And it seems
    that YouTube has no problem pulling down videos that question
    abortion, global warming, vaccine mandates, but child abuse
    videos remain on your site. So I am interested to know more
    about the specific inputs that you use in these reviews. Who
    established--who establishes these inputs and who oversees them
    to make sure that you get them right?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, thank you for your question. So we
    heavily invest in making sure that all of our users, but
    particularly kids on the platform, have a safe experience. And
    the way that we do this is in with a number of levers. For
    example, we have content policies as it relates to child safety
    on the platform. So not putting minors into risky situations,
    in videos on the platform----
        Senator Blackburn. OK, then let me jump in and ask you then
    if you are saying you don't want to put children into risky
    videos. There is a world of self-harm content on your site, and
    a few searches come up with videos such as, and I am quoting
    from searches that we have done, songs to slit your wrists by,
    vertical slit wrist, how to slit your wrist, and painless ways
    to commit suicide. Now that last video, painless ways, was age
    gated. And--but do the self-harm and suicide videos violate
    YouTube's content guidelines, if you are saying you have these
    guidelines?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I would certainly welcome following up
    with you on that video you may be referencing because we
    absolutely prohibit content regarding suicide.
        Senator Blackburn. Ms. Miller, I have to tell you, we have
    pulled these down in my office. Our team has worked on this
    because I think it is imperative that we take the steps that
    are necessary to prevent children and teens from seeing this
    content. And I just can't imagine that you all are continuing
    to allow children to figure out how to do this on your site,
    how to carry out self-harm. So yes, why don't you follow up
    with me for more detail, and I would like that response in
    writing.
        And I also talked to a film producer friend this morning,
    and the film trailer for, ``I'm Not Ashamed,'' which was based
    on the story of Rachel Scott. She was the first victim of the
    Columbine attacks, and the film focused on her faith and how it
    helped in her life. So why would you remove this film trailer
    and block its distributor from being on your site? And you did
    this for 11 months? You did not put the trailer back up until a
    Hollywood Reporter called and said, why have you done this? You
    got an answer on that one?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I am sorry, but I am not familiar with
    that specific removal.
        Senator Blackburn. OK, then let's review this. And we can
    submit the documentation. I had it sent back over to me. Ms.
    Stout, I want to come to you. We had an issue in Memphis with a
    48 year old man who was on your site. He raped a 16 year old
    Memphis teen and he claimed to be a music producer. He lured
    her into this relationship. And one of the news articles
    recently called Snapchat the app of choice for sexual
    predators.
        This is something that is of tremendous concern and much of
    it from what I understand, from talking to moms and talking to
    grand moms, is they use the Snap Map Location service, and I
    know you are probably going to say only your friends can follow
    you, but somehow people are getting around that.
        And these sexual predators who are following young people
    are using this map to get to their location. So we had this in
    Memphis with the rape. We have another child that was in the
    middle part of the state, that the predator followed her, and
    she tried to commit suicide because she knew her family was
    going to find out. So are you taking steps? Do you want to give
    me a written answer as to the steps that you all are taking?
    How are you going to get a handle on this? This is endangering
    young women.
        Ms. Stout. Senator, I am more than happy to give you a
    detailed written answer, and you have written to us in the past
    and I appreciate your leadership in following up on this issue.
    I want to just make crystal clear that the exploitation of
    minors is absolutely deplorable. It is our highest priority to
    prevent this type of event from happening on our platform. But
    with respect to the map, yes, indeed, location--appearing on
    the map is off by default for everyone, not only for minors,
    but for everyone.
        So in order to appear to someone on the map and share your
    location, you must be bi-directional friends with that person.
    I will say on--with respect to grooming, this is an area where
    we spend a tremendous amount of time and resources to try to
    prevent. Snapchat makes it intentionally difficult for
    strangers to find people that they don't know. We do not have
    open profiles, we do not have browsable pictures.
        We don't have the ability to understand who people's
    friends are and where they go to school. So Senator, I would be
    more than happy to follow up with you in writing and provide
    you more details.
        Senator Blackburn. Let's do that so we get some more
    detail. One question for all three of you, and you can answer
    this in writing if you choose. You have all talked about the
    research work that you do. Do you get parental consent when you
    are doing research on children? And can you provide us a copy
    of the parental consent form? We asked Facebook for this, and
    they punted the question repeatedly.
        And Ms. Miller, I think you need to provide the Committee
    clarity. You said that you all had never spoken out against
    online privacy. I think the Chairman and I may question that a
    little bit. So my question to you--and you can come back to us
    with a little bit more depth on this. Did you fight it as a
    part of the Internet Association as they were fighting privacy
    on your behalf?
        And just one thing to wrap, Mr. Chairman, going back to Mr.
    Beckerman. With the confusion there seems to be around the
    ownership of TikTok, which their parent company is ByteDance,
    and the CCP does have a seat on the board, they have a
    financial stake in ByteDance, their--Douyin is a affiliated
    entity. And we know there is a relationship with the Chinese
    Communist Party through all of this. And then I checked, and I
    know that TikTok user data is stored in the U.S. and Singapore.
        And until quite recently, Singapore data services were run
    by Alibaba, which is another Chinese company. So what we need
    to have from you, Mr. Beckerman, is some clarity on the chain
    of ownership, the transmission in the sharing processes that
    are around U.S. consumer data, especially the data and
    information of our children. And with that, I will yield back.
    Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Senator Blackburn. We are going
    to go to Senator Sullivan. We are going to finish the first
    round. Senator Sullivan, Senator Lummis, I am going to go vote.
    I should be back by the time that Senator Lummis finishes. And
    in the meantime, Senator Blackburn will preside. Thank you.

                    STATEMENT OF HON. DAN SULLIVAN,
                        U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA

        Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And Mr.
    Beckerman, I know there has been a lot of questions which I
    certainly have concerns about sharing data with the Chinese
    Communist Party, given the ownership or at least board
    influence. Senator Blackburn was just talking about that, I
    know Senator Cruz raised the issues. I want to raise a related
    issue. It is what I refer to as kowtow capitalism, kowtow
    capitalism.
        And I think that you guys are Exhibit A of kowtow
    capitalism. What is kowtow capitalism? It is American
    executives of American companies censoring Americans' First
    Amendment rights in America so as not to offend the Chinese
    Communist Party and, or to gain access to the Chinese market.
    So we see it on Wall Street. We see it in the movie studios, we
    see it with the NBA.
        So let me ask a couple of questions related to that. Could
    a TikTok user--a TikTok user could put up a video that
    criticizes the Chairman of this committee, the Ranking Member,
    any Senator, President Biden, former President Trump couldn't
    he? I mean, not like some horrible, violent suggestion, but
    just a criticism of an elected official. Is that common?
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes. Is it common--actually TikTok really
    isn't the place for politics? We don't allow political ads. And
    so political content is not typically what you----
        Senator Sullivan. You don't have like funny----
        Mr. Beckerman. It wouldn't be a violation. Yes, and
    wouldn't be a violation of our community guidelines. As long as
    it is not mis or disinformation or something hateful, then that
    would be allowed.
        Senator Sullivan. Good. That is good. That is free speech.
    I would hope you would answer that way. Could a TikTok user put
    up a video criticizing Xi Jinping. I know he is sensitive, for
    example, of being compared to Winnie the Pooh. Could a TikTok
    user put up videos that, kind of, make fun of him maybe with
    references to Winnie the Pooh? I don't know why he doesn't like
    Winnie the Pooh, but some reason you can't put Winnie the Pooh
    up anywhere in China. Can a TikTok user do that?
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator.
        Senator Sullivan. Really?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, our community guidelines are done
    for the United States market by our team in California and our
    moderators are done here. And that wouldn't be a violation of
    our community guidelines.
        Senator Sullivan. OK, so you--what about--in 2019, you
    admitted to censoring videos mentioning Tibetan independence.
    Can a TikTok user mention Tibetan independence?
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator.
        Senator Sullivan. So what happened in 2019 when you guys
    admitted to censoring a video related to that?
        Mr. Beckerman. I am not familiar with that incident, but I
    can assure you that that would not be a violation of our
    community guidelines and would be allowed on our platform.
        Senator Sullivan. OK. What about I think there was a TikTok
    public policy director in 2020 admitted that TikTok had
    previously censored content that was critical of the CCP in
    regard to forced labor, with regard to Uyghur Muslims. Is that
    true?
        Mr. Beckerman. That is incorrect. I mean, that would not be
    a violation of our community guidelines. That content would be
    permitted.
        Senator Sullivan. OK, so you are saying that your videos
    have never been censored by the Chinese Communist Party on any
    matter? These are--I am just reading from this, maybe these are
    all wrong.
        Mr. Beckerman. No, I can assure you that our content
    moderation teams are led by Americans. Our moderation
    guidelines are public and transparent. And content that is
    critical of any Government, frankly, as long as it meets our
    community guidelines, not mis or disinformation or hateful
    speech or something like that would be allowed. And I would
    encourage you to search for a number of these examples that you
    mentioned today on TikTok, and I am sure you could find them
    all.
        Senator Sullivan. So Tibetan independence and the Uyghur
    Muslim forced labor issues were not censored? I have wrong
    information----
        Mr. Beckerman. They are not currently censored.
        Senator Sullivan. Were they previously censored by anyone
    at TikTok? I thought--I am reading here, 2019, 2020, you
    admitted, somebody in TikTok admitted doing that. So that
    didn't happen?
        Mr. Beckerman. I am not aware of that. I can say that is
    not a violation of our guidelines now, and that is not how we
    moderate content.
        Senator Sullivan. OK. Well, listen, Madam Chair, or Mr.
    Chairman and the Ranking Member, I do think this issue of
    kowtow capitalism where American companies are censoring
    Americans, we are seeing it all the time, is an issue that this
    committee should be looking at because the Chinese Communist
    Party, of course, can crush freedom of speech in their own
    country, but they shouldn't be able to crush it in this
    country.
        And Mr. Beckerman, I am glad that you are denying any of
    this. I look forward to seeing videos somewhere, somehow on
    TikTok that are critical of the Chinese Communist Party. Not
    really hold my breath, but maybe, it is true. Maybe ByteDance
    and the CCP board members are fine with videos criticizing
    President Xi Jinping and other members of the Communist Party.
        So you are saying that is totally fine and completely
    acceptable policy for TikTok users?
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator. And just to be perfectly
    clear, there is not involvement from the Chinese Communist
    Party in moderation of TikTok, and it is all done by Americans
    from within the United States.
        Senator Sullivan. Right. Thank you.
        Mr. Beckerman. Thank you.
        Senator Blackburn. Thank you, Mr. Sullivan. And I can--I
    will let you--we are going to continue looking at these issues
    of the Chinese Communist Party's influence into U.S. companies
    and into technology, and the silencing and censoring of free
    speech of U.S. citizens online.
        Senator Sullivan. Right. It is a really important issue, I
    appreciate that. Thank you.
        Senator Blackburn. So thank you for that line of
    questioning. Yes, it is. Senator Lummis, you are recognized.

                   STATEMENT OF HON. CYNTHIA LUMMIS,
                       U.S. SENATOR FROM WYOMING

        Senator Lummis. Thank you, Madam Chairman, and I am going
    to start directly with questions. And if I have any time left,
    I would like to read a statement into the record. But I will
    start with a question for Ms. Miller. YouTube has implemented
    several features, such as auto play, that have been proven to
    make the platform difficult to stop using.
        What mechanisms has YouTube employed to ensure that
    children specifically have tools to counteract these design
    decisions? And do you believe those controls are sufficient?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, thank you for your question. Auto play
    is default off on YouTube Kids, as well as in supervised
    experiences on YouTube Main. So we have set those to default
    off. We do allow, if the default is changed to allow for auto
    play, for example, if a family is in a car and they would like
    to have the--the parents have decided they want auto play to
    continue, but we have set it to default off.
        Senator Lummis. And do you believe that sufficient?
        Ms. Miller. I think it is one of a number of tools that are
    important to make sure that kids have a healthy and safe
    experience on the platform. Another is that we do not deliver
    targeted advertising on YouTube Kids. Another is that we age
    gate content to make sure that minors do not see age
    inappropriate material.
        So it is only with a number of tools and protocols in place
    do we think that we are meeting the bar we have set for
    ourselves, that parents expect of us, experts in the field such
    as child development advise us on to make sure, again, that
    kids are having a safe experience on the platform.
        Senator Lummis. Thank you. Mr. Beckerman, after my staff
    reviewed your privacy policy, I want to list some of the items
    that TikTok will automatically collect from one of its users:
    that person's location, the device model of your phone, their
    browsing history outside and inside of TikTok, content of all
    messages sent on TikTok, their IP address, their biometric
    identifying information, and information from their phones,
    such as keystroke patterns in other apps.
        Do you believe this sort of mass data collection is
    necessary to deliver a high quality experience to your users?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I thank you for that question. Some
    of those items that you listed off are things that we are not
    currently collecting, and we State that in the privacy policy,
    that if we were to, we would notify users and get their
    consent.
        Senator Lummis. And which of those that I may--named are--
    have that condition?
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes. As it relates to biometric, I don't--I
    didn't write down every single thing. I would be happy to go
    through with you and your team on that.
        Senator Lummis. Perfect. We will follow up with you. My
    question is, regardless of which ones require consent of those
    I mentioned, why should any member of this committee feel
    comfortable with the vast amounts of data your company is
    collecting on our children, especially since TikTok has a
    relationship to the Chinese Communist Party?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, first off as it relates to data,
    TikTok actually collects less in many categories than many of
    our peers, and some of these things, as you mentioned,
    keystroke that is not collecting actually what people are
    typing. That is actually an anti-fraud, anti-spam measure that
    measures the cadence of typing because a bot, for example,
    would behave very differently than a human. And so it is not
    actually collecting what people are typing. It is an anti-fraud
    measure.
        Senator Lummis. Which of your competitors or other
    companies that you are aware of collect more information?
        Mr. Beckerman. I probably would point to Facebook and
    Instagram, for example.
        Senator Lummis. Well, I will ask the same questions of
    them. Thank you. This is for all our witnesses. Are your
    platforms specifically designed to keep users engaged as long
    as possible? You want to start, Mr. Beckerman?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, we want to make sure that people
    are having an entertaining experience. You know, like TV or
    movies, you know, TikTok is meant to be entertaining. But we do
    think we have a responsibility along with parents to make sure
    that it is being used in a responsible way. We have to take a
    break videos. We have time management tools. And family pairing
    is another tool where parents can help limit the time that
    their teenagers are spending on the app.
        Senator Lummis. But is the length of engagement a metric
    that your company uses in order to define success?
        Mr. Beckerman. There is multiple definitions of success,
    Senator, it is not just based on how much time somebody's
    spending on the app.
        Senator Lummis. But is that one of them? Is length of
    engagement one of the metrics?
        Mr. Beckerman. I think overall engagement is more important
    than the amount of time that is being spent.
        Senator Lummis. But is it one of the metrics?
        Mr. Beckerman. It is a metric that I think many platforms
    check on, on how much time people are spending on the app.
        Senator Lummis. Thank you. Ms. Stout, same question. Are
    your platforms designed to keep users engaged as long as
    possible?
        Ms. Stout. So, Senator, when you open up Snapchat, you
    don't open up Snapchat to a feed of other people's content
    designed to keep you consuming more and more content. You open
    up Snapchat to a blank camera, which is a blank canvas. It is a
    place where users come to talk to their friends in videos and
    in pictures.
        Senator Lummis. So but is it a metric that the company
    incorporates into your definitions of success?
        Ms. Stout. I believe we see success as if the platform is
    facilitating real live conversations and connections with
    friends. Snapchat is a place where friends come to talk to each
    other.
        Senator Lummis. But is it a metric? My question is, do you
    measure success in any way, shape, or form by how long people
    stay on your site? Is that one of multiple driving measures of
    success?
        Ms. Stout. I think the way I can answer that question is,
    it is one of many metrics.
        Senator Lummis. OK, thanks. Ms. Miller, same question. Are
    your platforms designed to keep users engaged as long as
    possible?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, our platforms are designed to allow
    users to search and discover all types of content. It is
    intended for them to have an enjoyable experience.
        Senator Lummis. I get it, but I am asking, is this one of
    the metrics by which you define success?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, we have a number of digital wellbeing
    tools designed to----
        Senator Lummis. But is this one of the metrics? Is it--is
    it one of them? I mean, there----
        Ms. Miller. It is.
        Senator Lummis. There could their numerous metrics but is
    this one of them?
        Ms. Miller. Yes. To the specific question that you are
    asking, we do look at, for example, if a video was watched
    through its entirety. That helps us determine whether or not
    that was a quality video relative to the search that the user
    had. So we do look at those types of data points to inform us
    as it relates to the experience that the user has had on the
    platform.
        Senator Lummis. Thank you. Madam Chairman, do I have time
    to enter an opening statement? Thank you, Madam Chairman. This
    generation of children will grow up under a level of
    surveillance well beyond any previous one.
        And although the recent Wall Street Journal reports focused
    on the problematic harms of Facebook, we know that the problem
    is endemic among our youth and bigger than Facebook alone.
    Children are impressionable. They are easily manipulated by
    targeting advertising to them, and they are readily influenced
    by the highly sophisticated algorithms that often surge--serve
    age inappropriate content to its youth users.
        These invisible algorithms continuously nudge our children
    in different directions, which can impact their development
    without their knowledge and without their parents' knowledge.
    These algorithms on these platforms were designed with adults
    in mind, not children. Only a tiny fraction of children
    understand the harm that can come from sharing sensitive
    information, pictures, or opinions that become part of their
    digital permanent record.
        But what is most alarming is that none of them can fully
    understand how the content fed to them by algorithms will shape
    their worldview during these formative years. So more must be
    done to promote responsible social media use. We must educate
    parents on how to teach their children to avoid the pitfalls of
    using these platforms.
        And more importantly, we must hold these platforms
    accountable for the effects that their design decisions have on
    our children. Mr. Chairman, thank you for the opportunity to
    add that opening statement to the record and thank you for your
    indulgence. I yield back.
        Senator Markey. Thank you and thank you for your leadership
    on these issues and your very insightful questions. We do have
    to protect kids in our country. You just put your finger on it.
    So let me ask this. Just going--following up on Senator Lummis
    and Senator Blumenthal, everyone on the panel here today.
        These kids are constantly posting content and their data is
    being tracked, stored, and monetized. But we know that young
    users lack the cognitive ability to grasp that their posts are
    going to live online forever. To each of our witnesses, do you
    agree that Congress should give children and teens, but more
    importantly, their parents, their ability, the right to erase
    their online data? Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator.
        Senator Markey. Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Yes, we do, Senator, but I would say that
    content on Snapchat does not appear permanently.
        Senator Markey. And again, I appreciate that. And to you,
    Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Yes, Senator. And users have the ability to
    delete their information as well as having auto delete tools.
        Senator Markey. So if they should have the right to delete
    it. Do agree with that, Ms. Miller?
        Ms. Miller. Yes, Senator.
        Senator Markey. OK, great. Today, apps collect troves of
    information about kids that have nothing to do with the apps
    service. For example, one gaming app that allows children to
    race cartoon cars with animal drivers has reportedly amassed
    huge amounts of kids data unrelated to the app's game,
    including location and browsing history. Why do apps gobble up
    as much information as they can about kids?
        Well, it is to make money. Congress, in my opinion, has to
    step in and prevent this harmful collection of data. Ms.
    Miller, do you agree that platforms should stop data collection
    that has nothing to do with fulfilling the app's service?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, we do limit the data that we collect,
    and this is particularly true, for example, on the YouTube Kids
    app. We limit the data collection to only rely on what is
    necessary to make sure that the platform runs.
        Senator Markey. So do you agree that that should become a
    law that all platforms have to do the same thing?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I don't want to speak to whether or
    not it should become a law and, or the details of any proposed
    legislation, but at YouTube, we have not waited for a law to
    make sure that we have these protections.
        Senator Markey. I appreciate that. It is just it is time to
    just make up your mind, you know, yes or no on legislation. We
    need to move. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator, we do need legislation. I
    think we are overdue on very strong national privacy laws.
        Senator Markey. Great. Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Yes, Senator, we absolutely collect less data,
    and it sounds as though collection of data that is irrelevant
    to the performance of the app does not appear to be within
    scope.
        Senator Markey. Today, popular influencers peddle products
    online while they flaunt their lavish lifestyles to young
    users. Influencer marketing like videos of online child
    celebrities opening new toys, getting millions of views but
    they are inherently manipulative to young kids, who often
    cannot tell that they are really paid advertisements that their
    heroes are pushing--that the hero is getting a monetary
    kickback from.
        My bill with Senator Blumenthal, the Kids Act, would ban
    this type of promotion of influencer marketing to kids. To each
    of the witnesses, do you agree that Congress should pass
    legislation to stop apps from pushing influencer marketing to
    children in our country? Yes or no? Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, again, we have actually moved in this
    direction whereby we have a set of quality principles regarding
    the type of content that is made available on the YouTube Kids
    app, and in so doing, we make sure that we are not providing
    content that, for example, would have a significant prevalence
    of that type of material. And we also limit the types of ads
    that can be delivered on the app. I would--I apologize, I don't
    have the details----
        Senator Markey. Should we make it--should we make it
    illegal so that people out there who might be trying to
    influence children know that there is an enforceable penalty
    that----
        Ms. Miller. I absolutely think it is worth a discussion. I
    would need to stare at the details of such a bill.
        Senator Markey. Again, it has been around for a long time.
    Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator, we already limit the kinds of
    advertisements that can be served to teens, but we do agree
    that there should be additional transparency and additional
    privacy laws passed.
        Senator Markey. Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Senator, I would agree that I think for young
    people, there should be additional protections placed. So yes,
    we would be happy to look at that.
        Senator Markey. And by the way, we banned it on television
    because we know that we can't have the heroes just holding the
    product on Saturday morning and just saying, hey, kids, tell
    your parents to buy this right now. We banned it there. We have
    to ban it online. So thank you. And finally, push alerts.
        Studies show that 70 percent of teenagers report checking
    social media multiple times a day. Excessive use of social
    media has been linked to depression, anxiety, and feelings of
    isolation. The last thing an app should be doing is using
    methods like push notifications, automated messages that nudge
    users to open an app to make young users spend even more time
    online.
        To each of the witnesses, do you agree that Congress should
    pass, again, the law that Senator Blumenthal and I are trying
    to move, which would ban push alerts for children? Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. I agree that additional protections should be
    in place regarding things such as push alerts for children.
        Senator Markey. OK, thank you. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, we already limit push
    notifications.
        Senator Markey. Should we--should we ban push
    notifications?
        Mr. Beckerman. I think that would be appropriate, but
    already we have already done that proactively for some push
    notifications.
        Senator Markey. OK. Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Yes, Senator. Snapchat does not utilize push
    notifications or nudges as the UK age appropriate design code
    pointed out, but we would very much be in agreement with your
    legislation.
        Senator Markey. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Senator Markey. I understand
    Senator Klobuchar has a few more questions, and while we are
    waiting for her, I have a few too. So appreciate your patience.
    Let me begin by acknowledging, and I think you would
    acknowledge as well, the reason that you made many of the
    changes that you have is the UK's child safety law, the age
    appropriate design code. I think we need an American version of
    the British child safety law. And I want to ask about some of
    its provisions.
        Will you commit to supporting a child safety law that
    obligates companies to act in the best interests of children?
    It establishes in effect a duty of care that could be legally
    enforceable. Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Senator, we were very privileged to be able to
    work with the Information Commissioner's Office in the UK in
    their design of the age appropriate design code. We, of course,
    comply with the code as it has come into force this year. And,
    as I mentioned to Senator Markey, we are looking actively at
    that code to see how we could apply it outside of just the UK
    market and apply it to many of our other markets.
        So with respect to a child safety law that obligates
    companies to think about the protection in the safety of
    children that is something that Snap has already done without
    regulation. But, of course, we would be happy to work with the
    Committee.
        Senator Blumenthal. But the point is, and we would love to
    be in a world where we could rely on voluntary action by
    platforms like yourselves, but in effect, you have sacrificed
    that claim to be voluntary action or reliance on your voluntary
    action. Whether it is Facebook or your companies in various
    ways, I think you have shown that we can't trust big tech to
    police itself.
        And so when you say we already do it, well, you may decide
    to do it, but there is no legal obligation that you do it and
    there is no way to hold you accountable under current law. That
    is what we need to do. That is why I am asking you about a law.
    I am hoping that your answer is a yes, that you would support
    it. As a duty of care, it is a matter of law. You are nodding,
    and I hope that is a yes.
        Ms. Stout. Yes, Senator, and that was very much a part of
    my testimony in my opening statement, which because the time it
    takes regulation to be actually implemented, we don't believe
    that we should have to wait for that regulation. We are going
    to take the voluntary steps to best protect----
        Senator Blumenthal. Would you support it?
        Ms. Stout. Yes, Senator.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator. We have already voluntarily
    implemented much of the age appropriate design code here in the
    United States. But I do agree with you that companies need to
    do more, and I was struck by your comments in your opening
    statement about a race to the top.
        And that is very much the approach that we are trying to
    take at TikTok to do more, go above and beyond, and really be a
    place where it is seen that we are putting wellness of teens,
    and safety of teens in particular, ahead of other motives.
        Senator Blumenthal. So let me see if I can answer the
    question as I would if I were in your shoes. Yes, we strongly
    and enthusiastically support that kind of child safety law. We
    are already doing more than we would need to do under the law.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator. And additionally, I do think
    as it relates to age verification, it is something that should
    be included and in measures like that and included in updates
    to COPPA, which are long overdue.
        Senator Blumenthal. Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I actually respectfully disagree that
    we only wait until we have legal obligations to put systems,
    practices, and protocols in place. For example, we rolled out
    YouTube Kids in 2015 to make sure that as kids were trying to
    be on the main platform, that we created a space that was
    particularly for them and their safety. We have rolled out a
    number of----
        Senator Blumenthal. I am going to interrupt you, Ms.
    Miller, because I think you misinterpret me. I am not
    suggesting that you wait. On the contrary, I am suggesting that
    you do it now. I think Mr. Beckerman and Ms. Stout perfectly
    well understood my question. Both of them would support that
    law. Would you, yes or no?
        Ms. Miller. I would support looking at any details as it
    relates to additional legal protections for kids in the U.S. As
    you may know, the age appropriate design code went into effect
    in the UK just over a month ago, so it is still early days, but
    we had already rolled out a number of the protections required
    in the UK, we rolled them out globally.
        Senator Blumenthal. Is that a yes or a no?
        Ms. Miller. Yes, I would be happy to work with you and your
    staff on a U.S. version.
        Senator Blumenthal. Would you support this legislation--
    would you support a version of the UK child safety law?
        Ms. Miller. I would need to stare at the details of any
    specific bill, but I certainly support expansions of child
    safety protections.
        Senator Blumenthal. I am going to yield to Senator
    Klobuchar, and she is now ready to ask her question.
        Senator Klobuchar. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank
    you for--a lot going on here today. Thank you for taking me
    remotely for the second round. So one of the things that I have
    tried to do in all of these hearings that we have had,
    including in the Judiciary Antitrust subcommittee that I chair,
    is taking the veil off this idea that this is just web,
    everyone has fun--that's what it is, and it is just a cool
    thing.
        Some of that is true, but it is also a huge profit making
    venture. And when you look at it that way as the most
    successful and biggest companies the world has ever known in
    the big tech platforms in terms of money, then you have to
    start looking at it, wait a minute, why haven't we done
    anything about privacy law? Or why haven't we done anything on
    Senator Markey's children's law?
        Why haven't we put in place some rules about transparency
    and algorithms, or mostly, from my perspective, done anything
    about competition policy, which is a market approach to get
    alternatives. So I just start with this question, which I have
    asked many of the platforms. The larger platforms.
        Ms. Stout, Snap reported that its advertising revenue per
    user in North America for the second quarter of 2021 was $7.37.
    How much of Snap's revenue came from users under the age of 18?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, I don't have that information for you,
    but I would be happy to take that back.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK, good. I appreciate that. I have been
    trying to get that from Facebook, of course. Just to give you a
    sense of Facebook's revenue per user from their own documents
    is $51 per user in--for the U.S. per quarter. Just to put it in
    some perspective. Mr. Beckerman, TikTok is a privately held
    company, so we don't have public documents on your advertising
    revenue per user. What is your best estimate of advertising
    revenue per U.S. user for the last quarter?
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, I don't have those numbers, but I
    would be happy to go back and check in with the team.
        Senator Klobuchar. Do you think you can provide us that?
        Mr. Beckerman. Again, we are not a public company, but I
    will go back and see what we can find for you.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK, and again, I am trying to figure out
    the percentage from users under the age of 18, for us to get
    some perspective on how much of this is your--how much of the
    business and the future growth of the business is in kids. Ms.
    Miller, YouTube reported that its advertising revenue overall
    in the second quarter of 2021 was $7 billion. How much of
    YouTube's revenue came from users under the age of 18?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I am--I don't know the answer to that,
    and I am not sure if we look at data internally that way, so I
    would also be happy to follow up with you. But I would like to
    note that as a company, we have long shared our revenue with
    our creators. And so over the last 3 years alone, we have paid
    out more than $30 billion to our creators.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK. I work with the Antitrust
    subcommittee. Takes me in a related path, and I recently
    introduced the bipartisan legislation, the American Innovation
    and Choice Online Act, with Senator Grassley and there is
    several people, including Senator Blumenthal, who are co-
    sponsors of that legislation.
        And it is focused on a gnarly problem, which is that you
    have platforms that are self-preferencing their own stuff at
    the top. They are taking, in some cases, data that they
    uniquely have on other products and then making knockoff
    products and then underpricing the competitors. Ms. Miller,
    Roku says YouTube has made unfair demands in negotiations for
    carrying the YouTube TV app on Roku, including demanding Roku
    give preference to YouTube over other content providers in its
    search results, which is exactly what this legislation gets to,
    and give YouTube access to nonpublic data from Roku's users.
        Did YouTube make these demands for nonpublic data and
    preferencing in search results in negotiations with Roku?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I am not involved in the negotiations
    with Roku. I know we have been having discussions with them for
    several months and we are trying to come to a resolution that
    is good for users as well as both companies, but I am not
    involved in the negotiations.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK. I will put this on the record for
    others in the company because I also I would like to know more
    generally if YouTube has ever demanded nonpublic data or
    preferencing in search results in negotiations with other
    providers. It just gives you a sense of the dominant platform
    by far in the area of search, being able to use that power over
    people who are simply trying to be on that platform.
        So I think that gets really to the core of what we are
    trying to do. I also just had a follow up on your YouTube
    banning all vaccine misinformation, which I commended you for
    at the time. How much content have you removed related to this
    policy change since you banned all anti-vaccine misinformation?
    And have you seen a change in the viewership rate?
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I feel bad--I think this is the
    question I would absolutely love to answer with more detail,
    but I know that we have removed so much video as it relates to
    COVID stuff.
        Senator Klobuchar. We will put it in writing, and we will
    get the answer that way. Thank you. My last question, Ms.
    Stout, Mr. Beckerman, I just mentioned this bill that Senator
    Grassley and I have introduced with 10 other co-sponsors aimed
    at ensuring that dominant digital platforms don't use their
    market power to thwart competition.
        Do you support some of the competition reforms in the bill
    and have you faced any challenges when it comes to competing
    with the largest digital platforms? That will be my last
    question.
        Ms. Stout. Senator, we have--we are aware of the bill that
    you introduced with Senator Grassley, and as a non-dominant
    platform, very much appreciate your legislation and the work
    that you are doing in this space. And yes, as a smaller
    platform, it is an incredibly competitive arena for us. We
    compete every day with companies that collect more information
    on users and store that information to monetize.
        So any efforts that this body, and especially the
    legislation that you have undertaken to create an equal playing
    field so that it is indeed a competitive atmosphere for
    platforms like Snapchat, we would very much welcome.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK, thanks. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, likewise, we appreciate your efforts in
    the work that you have done to promote and spur competition. It
    is something that I think we all benefit from. As it relates to
    specific challenges that we face, I would be happy to meet with
    you and your team to discuss in detail some of those issues.
        Senator Klobuchar. Thank you very much. Thank you,
    everybody.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, I found the answer if you don't mind.
    So on COVID misinfo, we have removed over a million videos
    since we started rolling out COVID misinfo, and over 130,000
    videos as it relates to COVID vaccine misinfo. So it is an area
    we have put a lot of resources behind to make sure our platform
    isn't promoting or allowing this type of content. Thank you.
        Senator Klobuchar. OK, thank you. Thanks, everybody.
    Thanks, Senator Blumenthal and Blackburn.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Senator Klobuchar. I seem to
    be the last person standing or sitting between you and the end,
    but I do have some questions. Ms. Stout and Mr. Beckerman, over
    10 million teens use your apps. These are extremely
    impressionable young people, and they are a highly lucrative
    market. And you make tens, probably hundreds of millions from
    them.
        There is a term, I am sure you have heard it, called
    ``Snapchat dysmorphia,'' to describe the depression, mental
    health, and other issues associated with your apps. Snapchat
    dysmorphia. Kids use the filters that are offered and create
    destructive, harmful expectations, the filter does, and you
    study the impact of these filters on teen mental health, I
    assume. Do you study the impact of these filters before you put
    them in front of kids? Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Yes, Senator, the technology that you are
    referring to is what we call lenses, and these lenses are
    augmented reality filters that we allow users who choose to use
    them to apply them over top of selfies. And for those that are
    familiar, they are the, you know, opportunity to put on a dog
    face or----
        Senator Blumenthal. I have seen them. But they also change
    one's appearance, potentially to make one thinner, different
    colors, different skin tones.
        Ms. Stout. So these filters, Senator, are created both by
    Snapchat and our creator community. There are over 5 million of
    these augmented reality filters, and a very, very small
    percentage of those filters are what you would call
    beautification filters. Most of them are silly, fun,
    entertaining filters that people use to lower the barrier of
    conversation.
        Because again, when you are using Snapchat, you are not
    posting anything permanently for likes or comments. You are
    using those filters in a private way to exchange a text or to
    exchange a video message with a friend. So it really kind of
    creates this fun, authentic ability to communicate with your
    friends in a fun way. And those filters are one of the many
    ways in which friends love to communicate with each other.
        Senator Blumenthal. Do you study the impact on kids before
    you offer them? Have you studied them?
        Ms. Stout. So we do a considerable amount of research on
    our products. And in fact, one of--I think it was one of the
    competitive pieces of research that was revealed as part of
    your earlier hearing showed that filters or lenses on Snapchat
    are intended to be fun and silly. It is not about body
    dysmorphia----
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, we all know as parents, something
    intended to be fun and silly can easily become something that
    is dangerous and depressing. And that is the simple fact about
    these filters. Not all of them. Maybe not the majority of them,
    but some of them. And I would like you to provide the research
    that you have done. I have asked for other research, but I am
    gathering from what you have said that you haven't--you don't
    do the research before you provide them.
        Ms. Stout. No, Senator, that's not what I am saying. And in
    fact, I--particularly with respect to this question, I am not
    able to answer the kind of research we have done simply because
    I am not aware, but I will go back and look and try to get you
    an answer to answer your question.
        Senator Blumenthal. You know, for 8 years, Snapchat had a
    speed filter. It allowed users to add their speed to videos, as
    you know. The result was that it encouraged teens to race their
    cars at reckless speeds. There were several fatal and
    catastrophic crashes associated with teens using the speed
    filter. It took, I think, 8 years, and warnings from safety
    advocates, and multiple deaths for Snapchat to finally remove
    that dangerous speed filter. It was silly. It was maybe fun for
    some people.
        It was catastrophic for others. And I want to raise what
    happened to Carson Bride. His mother, Kristin, originally from
    Darien, told me about how Carson was relentlessly bullied
    through anonymous apps on Snapchat. After trying desperately to
    stop the abuse and after unanswered pleas for help, he took his
    own life. Silly, fun--how can parents protect kids from the
    relentless bullying that follows kids home from school?
        As Ms. Haugen said so movingly, it no longer stops at the
    schoolhouse door. Now 24/7. Comes into their homes, just before
    they go to sleep. What are you doing to stop bullying on
    Snapchat?
        Ms. Stout. Senator, this is an incredibly moving issue for
    me as a parent as well. Bullying is unfortunately something we
    are seeing more and more happening to our kids. And indeed,
    this is not just on the online community. They face it at
    school, they bring it at home. We have zero tolerance on
    Snapchat for bullying or harassment of any kind. And as a
    platform that reaches so many young people, we see this as a
    responsibility to get in front of this issue and do everything
    we can to stop it.
        So again, because Snapchat is designed differently, you
    don't have multiple abuse vectors for bullying in a public sort
    of way on Snapchat. You don't have public permanent posts where
    people can like or comment, thereby introducing additional
    opportunities for public bullying or public shaming. That is
    not to say that bullying doesn't happen both online and
    offline. And so we have in-app reporting tools where users can
    anonymously and quickly report bullying or any other harmful
    activity.
        And I will say our trust and safety teams that work around
    the clock actually move to remove this content on average in
    less than 2 hours. Usually, it is far more quickly than that.
    But I want to assure you, Senator--and thank you for raising
    the bullying issue. In addition to prevention, we do--I am
    sorry.
        In addition to combating this practice, we do a lot to
    prevent it, and we think that there ought to be more
    opportunities to raise awareness on the effects of bullying and
    the effects that people's words have on other people, and we
    will continue to make that commitment.
        Senator Blumenthal. Mr. Beckerman, we have heard from
    TikTok that it is a safe environment. At the same time, we see
    challenges--the blackout challenge, just to take one example,
    where in effect teens and children have actually died emulating
    and recording themselves following blackout and choking
    challenges, including a 9-year old in Tennessee who saw one on
    TikTok.
        Despite apparent efforts to discourage certain dangerous
    trends, this content is still being posted, and viewed widely
    by kids online and followed and emulated whether it is
    destruction of school property or other kinds of challenges. A
    mother who lost her child in the choking challenge shared
    questions with me, and they are questions that deserve answers
    from you and from others who are here today.
        And I am just going to ask her question, how can parents be
    confident that TikTok, Snapchat, and YouTube will not continue
    to host and push dangerous and deadly challenges to our kids?
        Mr. Beckerman. Thank you, Senator. As it relates to this
    specific challenge and particularly things that can be
    dangerous or deadly for teens, it is sad and tragic. I mean, I
    remember myself when I was in grade school, I had a classmate
    that we lost from something very similar.
        And so I know it is something that touches many of our,
    many of our lives and it is awful. As it relates to TikTok,
    this is not content that we have been able to find on our
    platform. It is not content that we would allow on our
    platform. Independent fact checkers have looked. But it is
    important that we all remain vigilant to ensure that things
    that are dangerous or even deadly, particularly for teenagers,
    don't find their way on platforms.
        And it is important that we all have conversations with our
    teenagers to make sure they stay safe offline and make sure
    they stay safe online. And it is a responsibility that we take.
    And again, I just think it is important that we distinguish
    between things that there is actual content on platforms
    encouraging things, among others were actually the content does
    not exist on the platform.
        Senator Blumenthal. But this content existed on your
    platform.
        Mr. Beckerman. Senator, we have not been able to find any
    evidence of a blackout challenge on TikTok at all. And again,
    it would violate our guidelines, but it is something that we
    proactively search, both with AI and human moderators. But we
    have found absolutely no evidence of it. And it is something
    that we have had conversations with parents and others all the
    time around, things that could be dangerous, but it is
    important that that we have conversations with our teens about
    this.
        Senator Blumenthal. And other challenges? You are saying
    none of them----
        Mr. Beckerman. So anything that is illegal or dangerous
    violates our guidelines. Our teams have been very aggressive
    and acted very quickly as things pop up on the platform, as our
    transparency reports show. Over 94 percent of content that
    violates our guidelines are removed automatically, but
    dangerous challenges have no place on TikTok.
        Senator Blumenthal. I understand that you react by taking
    them down, but they existed for the time they were there. And I
    guess my question is, what can you do to prevent those
    challenges from being there in the first place?
        Mr. Beckerman. Well, we are we are often able actually to
    be proactive in blocking things from coming on when they are
    found. We divert searches, we block content, we remove content.
    But unfortunately, something that we have seen recently are
    press reports about alleged challenges that when fact checkers
    like Snopes and other independent organizations look into it,
    they find out that these never existed on TikTok in the first
    place, and in fact, were hoaxes that originated on other
    platforms.
        And so I think it is important of all of us, particularly
    parents and teachers and those that care about our young
    people, that we, you know, look at the facts and look to see
    what content actually exists, rather than spreading rumors
    about alleged challenges.
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, I just have to tell you, Mr.
    Beckerman, we found pass out videos. We found them. So I have a
    lot of trouble crediting your response on that score. Let me
    ask you about another instance. A parent in Connecticut wrote
    to me about how their 13 year old daughter was inundated on
    TikTok with videos about suicide, self-injury, and eating
    disorders. I have heard similar stories from parents across the
    country. So, we checked. We did our own research.
        My staff made a TikTok account I was describing earlier and
    spent hours scrolling through its endless feed of videos as a
    teen would. TikTok began by showing us videos of dance trends.
    Within a week, TikTok started pushing videos promoting suicidal
    ideation and self-harm. We didn't seek out this content. We
    can't show these videos in this room because they were so
    disturbing and explicit.
        And finally, another TikTok account we created as a 13 year
    old, as a 13 year old was flooded with nothing but sexually
    obscene videos. How do you explain to parents why TikTok is
    inundating their kids with these kinds of videos of suicide,
    self-injury, and eating disorders? This is stuff occurring in
    the real world.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator. I can't speak to what the
    examples were that--from your staff, but I can assure you that
    is not the normal experience that teens or people that use
    TiKTok would get. Those kinds of content violate our guidelines
    and are removed. But we would be happy to sit down with you and
    your staff and go through what that example was.
        Senator Blumenthal. Would you support restrictions on
    product features that are intended to foster addictive use of
    apps? In other words, bar features that lead to addictive use
    of apps.
        Mr. Beckerman. Yes, Senator, we have already done a number
    of that proactively in the form of take a break of videos, in
    terms of time management features, in terms of not having
    direct messages, for example for under 16, and our family
    pairing tools. You know, it is important that when we look at
    these issues, that we have conversations and foster these
    conversations with our teenagers.
        I mean, that is one of the reasons we built our family
    pairing to make it easy for parents. I know it can be daunting
    for parents when you have teenagers to have all these different
    tools and features to protect them. But we built this in a way
    where parents from their own app can have additional control of
    the safety, privacy, and time use for their teenagers.
        Senator Blumenthal. I have to go vote, and I don't have
    anyone to preside here for me. May I suggest taking a 5-minute
    recess? I will have some final questions if you would be
    willing to wait, and then we can close the hearing. Thank you.
        [Recess.]
        Senator Blumenthal. Welcome back, everyone. I was told that
    a couple of my colleagues wanted to come back and have an
    opportunity to question, but if they are not here within the
    next 5 minutes, they will lose that opportunity. Thank you for
    your patience. I want to give you an opportunity to answer what
    I think is probably one of the paramount questions on the minds
    of most parents today.
        And that is, how are you different from Facebook? I
    mentioned at the very start of the hearing that you would try
    to differentiate yourself from Facebook. It is not enough to
    say, we are different. But I want to give you the opportunity
    to tell parents why they should be less fearful and scared of
    Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Senator, thank you for the opportunity. Again, I
    think it is very important to understand Snapchat is a very
    different platform. It was created by our founders to be an
    antidote to social media. Our founders saw very early on what
    traditional social media can do to your self-esteem, to your
    feeling that you have to perform or be perfect for the world at
    all times.
        And Snapchat was a decidedly different platform that was
    private, that was safe, where people could come and actually
    talk to the friends that they have in real life. You weren't
    being judged on your perfect posts. Your posts were intended to
    be ephemeral, the way a real life conversation is ephemeral.
    And it really strengthens relationships. So for parents who may
    not be sure of Snapchat, I would tell them, get on Snapchat,
    understand what your kids are doing. And in fact, we are going
    to make it easier for parents through parental controls to
    understand how indeed their kids can be safe and private on
    Snapchat.
        These parental controls, which will be rolling out very
    soon, will help parents understand who their kids are talking
    to the most, what their children's privacy or location settings
    may be, and start a conversation with their parents because
    this is a partnership. Parents and children ought to come
    together and talk to about how----
        Senator Blumenthal. Let me just interrupt--let me interrupt
    by saying, you know, everything you have said is fine, but it
    is aspirational, or it will appear so to some parents. In other
    words, just like Facebook says, well we bring communities
    together. Nothing to see here that is bad. I understand your
    goals, and for a lot of people, it may be so, but I am giving
    you the opportunity to tell us how you protect kids in a way
    that Facebook doesn't.
        Ms. Stout. Yes, so it is not only aspirational, but it is
    something that we live, and we practice every day. So in order
    to be friends with people on Snapchat, you have to be bi-
    directional friends. So there is no following. There is no not
    being invited into the conversations.
        These are two-way mutual friendships where people are able
    to speak to one another. Senator, an average 14 year old on
    Snapchat only has 30 friends and we don't try to push them to
    create more friends or make more connections with strangers. We
    want Snapchatters to be connected to the people they are
    connected to in real life.
        Senator Blumenthal. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Thank you, Senator. So let me answer that in
    three ways. First, we put people first and particularly as it
    relates to teens, we put their well-being first. As I outlined,
    and with just so many examples of things that we have done, we
    have made difficult policy and difficult product choices that
    put the well-being of teens first. And so that is everything
    from we don't allow direct messages for under 16. Under 16,
    their accounts are private. The way we have built out family
    controls.
        And so with our actions--look, trust, everybody can say
    trust us, but unless you are doing actions and putting those
    actions in place as we already have and we are constantly
    improving, we are not talking today about things that
    aspirationally we want to do, we are talking about things that
    we already have done and are continuing to build on. So that is
    one. Two, the approach of the company. Being open and humble is
    really part of our company culture, and that means that we are
    open to getting feedback from outside experts and policymakers
    and parents about ways we can improve.
        And we are humble to say, we are not always going to get it
    right, and we want to take that feedback and implement it in a
    way that really, really can earn trust, particularly as it
    relates to protecting teenagers. And the third is, I would
    encourage parents to have conversations with your teenagers.
    You know, ask them how they use TikTok, how do they feel after
    using TikTok? And you know, from what we are hearing and what
    we are seeing in the community is that TikTok is a joyful
    experience. It is inclusive. It makes teens feel better when
    you have difficult times when the pandemic or in the school
    day.
        And so just have those conversations with your teens, but
    also take the opportunity to maybe film a video, a TikTok video
    with your teenager to facilitate that conversation and
    recognize that TikTok is not a passive experience. You know, it
    is not just about watching videos, it is about the creativity
    and making and doing fun videos on the app. And that is
    something that we have seen parents come together with their
    teenagers on that. And so I think those three would answer your
    question, Senator.
        Senator Blumenthal. Ms. Miller.
        [Technical problems.]
        Ms. Miller.--prioritize profits over safety.
        Senator Blumenthal. I think we are--maybe you can start
    again. I think we missed the beginning of what you said.
        Ms. Miller. Oh, can you hear me now?
        Senator Blumenthal. Yes.
        Ms. Miller. OK. Sorry, Senator. Thank you for asking this
    question. For YouTube, our mission is to give everyone a voice
    and show them the world. And as such, when users come to
    YouTube, they are--they experience search and discovery of
    finding all types of content. But as a company, we do not
    prioritize profits over safety. We invest heavily in making
    sure that our platforms are safe for our users, and we do not
    wait to act.
        We put systems and practices and protocols in place that
    over time we have relied on when we need to adapt to the world
    around us. For example, we rolled out YouTube Kids in 2015 when
    we realized that those under 13 were trying to get on the
    YouTube Main platform. We created a safe space for them on
    YouTube Kids. In addition, we are a transparent company. We
    rolled out our first quarterly transparency report in 2018. We
    continue to update that on a quarterly basis where we share
    additional metrics.
        We rolled out the violative view rate statistic earlier
    this year. We believe that being a company that, where
    responsibility is our number one priority, where we are
    constantly trying to balance the freedom of expression with
    being responsible, is something that is ingrained in our DNA,
    and we are very proud of the work that we have done but we know
    there is always more for us to do.
        Senator Blumenthal. I am going to leave it to the parents
    of America and the world whether or not they find your answers
    sufficient to distinguish you from Facebook. I know for sure
    with certainty that we need more than just, with all due
    respect, the kind of answers that you have given to persuade me
    that we can rely on voluntary action by any of the companies in
    big tech. And so I think you are going to hear a continuing
    drumbeat.
        And I hope that you will be part of the effort for reform.
    I hope there will be release and disclosure. I want to read in
    that connection a text that just came to my staff, and I
    haven't had the opportunity really to review it myself, but I
    am going to read it. It comes from one of the families whose
    story I shared anonymously, ``I have watched the entire
    hearing. I just heard the Senator refer to our experience. Mr.
    Beckerman is lying that her experience is atypical, that is not
    true.
        My daughter's TikTok feed was inundated with suicide
    ideation videos, self-harm videos, and anorexia videos because
    she was feeling depressed and searched for videos on this
    topic. Then every time she opened the app, there was more. She
    could have been feeling better, but these videos brought her
    down again and inspired her to spend hours making her own
    similar videos. I also just wanted you to know that she is an
    honor student, athlete, president of her student council and
    all around great kid.
        Mr. Beckerman's testimony makes me so angry.'' I say that
    with all due respect, but I just want folks watching to know
    that we are not taking at face value what you have told us, and
    I certainly want to give you an opportunity to respond but you
    and big tech should know, these messages are the real life
    experiences that people are relating to us as we go to town
    meetings, as we talk to them on the phone or by e-mail.
        That is what we are hearing. That is why you are here. And
    I think there are a lot of questions still to be answered here
    and a lot of contentions to be disputed and a lot of work to be
    done in real action, real reform, and I hope Congress will do
    it. So I would give every one of you an opportunity to make a
    closing statement, if you wish or not, and then we will
    conclude the hearing. Ms. Stout.
        Ms. Stout. Chairman Blumenthal, thank you again for the
    opportunity to appear today, and I would absolutely agree with
    you that voluntary measures are not adequate in and of
    themselves, and we have never suggested that voluntary
    regulation is the way forward. We want to partner with this
    committee and with Congress on what those regulations should
    look like.
        And we, as I wrote in my testimony, believe that Congress's
    role in pushing forward regulation in this space is absolutely
    necessary. So thank you for the opportunity to talk to you
    today about how Snapchat has been prioritizing and will
    continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of young
    people on our platform. We do see this as our highest priority
    order, and we will continue to press forward. Thank you.
        Senator Blumenthal. Mr. Beckerman.
        Mr. Beckerman. Thank you, Senator. This is one of the most
    important topics for all of us, particularly as parents, as
    tech companies, and as Congress to address. We all have a
    responsibility to protect our teenagers. None of us can do it
    alone. It can't just be on the parents. It can't just be on us.
    And it certainly can't just be on Congress. But we have to come
    together and solve the issues that exist both on and offline
    for our teenagers.
        It is a responsibility that we at TikTok take very
    seriously and have taken tangible actions and steps to do, and
    will continue to do so. And you know, as we focus today on
    legislation, we support stronger privacy rules to be put in
    place. We have done many of that proactively on our own. We
    support Congress acting on age appropriate design, age
    appropriate content, the things that we have done proactively.
    We would like to see Congress act on that as well. Thank you.
        Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Ms. Miller.
        Ms. Miller. Senator, thank you very much for inviting me to
    participate in today's hearing. I will just close by saying
    what I said at the top in my opening statement, which is that
    there is no more important issue than the safety of kids
    online, and I am personally committed, our executives are
    committed to working with you and other stakeholders to make
    sure that the experience that kids have online is one that is
    healthy and enjoyable.
        I very much appreciate the concerns that you and your
    colleagues have shared with us. We will continue to work to
    improve and earn the trust of parents and kids and all the
    other stakeholders working together in this important space.
    Thank you very much.
        Senator Blumenthal. Well, I thank each of you for being
    here today. I hope you have grasped the sense of urgency and
    impatience that many of us feel. The time for platitudes and
    bromides is over. We have seen the lobbyists at work, we have
    seen millions of dollars arrayed against us. And I think we are
    determined this time to overcome them.
        And I hope that we will look back on this hearing as a
    turning point along with others that we are going to continue
    to hold in this subcommittee. So I thank you for being here
    today, and this hearing is adjourned.
        [Whereupon, at 1:37 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]

                                A P P E N D I X

     Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Richard Blumenthal to
                                 Jennifer Stout
        Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation and Grooming. According to the
    National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 2020 was
    record-breaking for reports of child sexual exploitation, and this year
    has already exceeded that number of reports. In November 2019, I led a
    bipartisan letter to Snap and other tech companies about what you are
    doing to stop child sexual exploitation.

        Question 1. What technologies do you have in place to automatically
    monitor for the grooming and enticement of children and report these
    crimes swiftly? If none, please explain why not.
        Answer. Snapchat is designed in a way that makes it difficult for
    strangers to connect with people they do not know. Snapchatters cannot
    see each other's friend lists, and, by default, you cannot receive a
    message from someone who isn't already your friend. These features
    incorporate user safety right at the start. We also offer easy-to-use
    in-app reporting tools so users can flag concerning activity and our
    team can review reports quickly. We prioritize reports related to child
    safety and act on these as quickly as possible. In addition, we also
    use PhotoDNA and CSAI Match technology to proactively identify and
    report known child sexual abuse imagery on Snapchat. When we identify
    instances of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on Snapchat, we
    preserve these and report them to the National Center for Missing &
    Exploited Children (NCMEC), who reviews and coordinates with law
    enforcement.

        Question 2. What technologies do you have in place to detect and
    stop predators from inducing children to send explicit images, videos,
    or live-streams of themselves? If none, please explain why not.
        Answer. As referenced in Question 1, we utilize PhotoDNA and CSAI
    Match to proactively identify and report CSAM to law enforcement
    authorities. Snapchat does not offer a live-stream function. We are
    actively exploring technologies to detect novel child sexual abuse
    imagery on Snapchat. We work with a range of expert safety
    organizations and leaders to inform our approach to safety and make
    sure Snapchat is a safe environment for our users. Since 2019, we've
    created and maintained a Parents' Guide to Snapchat, offering parents
    and caregivers a step-by-step resource to understanding and navigating
    the platform. We also offer tools to assist with Snapchatters in
    crisis, and we offer specific resources on topics like non-consensual
    intimate imagery (NCII), and Reporting on Snapchat.

        Question 3. What technologies do you have in place to detect Child
    Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) videos, both for known CSAM (such as the
    NCMEC hashlist) and new CSAM videos? If none, please explain why not.
        Answer. On the detection side, we use CSAI Match to detect known
    CSAM videos through video-hashing. This technology relies on
    organizations like NCMEC's hash database to prevent revictimization of
    survivors. On the prevention side, we have resources and information
    within the app to educate our community on the risks of sending
    intimate imagery. As referenced in Question 2, we are actively
    exploring technologies to detect novel child sexual abuse imagery on
    Snapchat.

        Question 4. Do you have specific mechanisms for users to report
    child sexual exploitation? If so, please elaborate on them; if not,
    please explain why not.
        Answer. We have an in-app reporting feature that allows for users
    to report any offending content, including reports of child sexual
    exploitation. We prioritize reports related to child safety and act on
    these reports on average within two hours. Our Trust & Safety team
    works 24/7 to review reports and if they find the content violates our
    Community Guidelines for CSAM, the violating material is removed, the
    account is suspended and preserved, and the account and relevant
    material are sent to NCMEC for further investigation and law
    enforcement referral.

        Question 5. Do you include IP addresses in all reports to NCMEC? If
    not, please explain why not.
        Answer. Yes. The Cybertip reports that Snap sends to NCMEC include
    the IP data that corresponds to the account's last successful login,
    whenever that data is available.
        When law enforcement submits appropriate follow-up legal process to
    Snap in the course of investigating a Cybertip, Snap provides all
    available IP data for the requested account for the specified time
    period.

        Question 6. Please provide your policies and protocols on how you
    respond to law enforcement when they reach out for information relating
    to child sexual exploitation reports.
        Answer. There are two common circumstances in which law enforcement
    contacts Snap for information relating to Cybertip reports submitted to
    NCMEC. First, to investigate the Cybertip report, law enforcement may
    serve Snap with authorized legal process, such as a search warrant or
    subpoena, for the account specified in the report. In these instances,
    Snap complies with valid legal processes and provides law enforcement
    all available responsive data.
        Second, law enforcement may submit questions to our Law Enforcement
    Operations team with regard to either the information contained within
    the Cybertip report or the data received pursuant to a subsequently
    served search warrant or subpoena. Although not legally mandated to
    respond in these instances, Snap's policy is to respond to all
    inquiries and endeavor to answer the questions posed based on available
    information, while complying with any applicable legal restrictions on
    voluntary disclosure.

        Snapstreaks and Stopping Addictive Use. Snapstreaks are one of the
    most popular features on Snapchat. Teens have spoken about how
    Snapstreaks are seen as proof of friendships, and they will go as far
    as waking up early, staying up late, or logging in to friends' accounts
    so they can keep up their streaks. It would appear that the purpose of
    this feature is to encourage teens to open Snapchat every day and send
    photos or videos--or else they risk their friendship.

        Question 1. Has Snap studied the impact Snapstreaks have on the
    mental health of children? And has Snap studied whether product
    features like Snapstreaks encourage problematic (or addictive) usage?
    If so, please elaborate on these studies and share them with the
    Subcommittee; if not, please explain why not.
        Answer. No, Snap has not studied the impact Snapstreaks have on the
    mental health of children nor have we conducted research specifically
    measuring the addictiveness of our features. In an effort to understand
    how our community engaged with Streaks and to prevent them from
    becoming more outsized in importance than we intended, we conducted
    research in 2018 with Snapchatters (ages 13-24) to better understand
    how they used Streaks, and how we could address any concerns to improve
    their experiences.
        Our findings showed that our user community generally finds Streaks
    to be a fun and an easy way to stay in touch with close friends.
    Streaks is a feature that was introduced early on to celebrate
    friendships and that represents how often people in a relationship send
    snaps to each other. Streaks are voluntary, not public, and are only
    visible between the two friends who have a streak. Streaks also do not
    represent time spent on the app. An emoji reflects the number of days
    you've been in contact with a friend through the exchange of Snaps.
    There is no nudge encouraging a user to jump back into the app and we
    do not utilize push notifications.
        We are sharing those research findings (see Document 1--Streaks
    Topline August 2018). And according to the research, two-thirds of our
    community said they don't feel it is very important to keep Streaks
    going. Further, the majority of our community did not indicate Streaks
    were a significant source of stress--but six percent did. Even though
    our user research indicated streaks were not a major source of stress
    for our community, we still took action to reduce any possible anxiety
    they could cause. We did this in three ways: 1) By deemphasizing the
    prominence of the Streaks emoji; 2) By lengthening the expiration
    window for a Streak from 6 hours to 12 hours, which resulted in a 50
    percent reduction in user requests to restore Streaks; and 3) Allowing
    people an automated and speedy way to restore their own Snapstreaks
    online, which further reduced pressure. We will continue to explore
    ways to ensure Streaks serve the best interest of our community and
    remain fun, and lighthearted ways to connect with your friends. In the
    near term, we are planning to roll out new features that will allow
    users to have more control over Streaks and to pause them if they need
    a break.

        Question 2. Snapstreaks create conditions where kids as young as 13
    are obsessively opening Snapchat as a proof of their friendship. Why
    has Snap decided to keep this feature for young teens, despite its
    steps to reduce addiction elsewhere?
        Answer. See answer to Question 1.

        Question 3. To test this feature, my staff created an account for a
    thirteen-year-old. We added the real account of a staff member of my
    office as a friend. We found that Snapchat started suggesting the
    account for the thirteen-year-old to the adult friends of our staff
    member. Why did it provide that recommendation?
        Answer. We have designed Quick Add with a focus on safety and
    privacy, and as part of that we have engineered the feature to focus on
    helping people find their real-life friends. It does so by focusing on
    existing connections among friends. If the account created for a
    hypothetical thirteen year-old user granted Snapchat permission to
    access their device's contacts, then these contacts found in that
    user's phone may have been the reason for the friend suggestion.
        Quick Add also contains other privacy-centric features. For
    example, we give users the ability to turn Quick Add off so that users
    who do not want to appear as friend suggestions to other users have the
    ability to control how they appear.
        Finally, we are intensely focused on continuing to make Quick Add
    even safer and more privacy-centric, especially for Snapchatters ages
    13-17. As part of that ongoing effort, we are currently rolling out a
    change for minors: To be discoverable in QuickAdd by someone else, they
    will need to have a certain number of friends in common with that
    person. That will further ensure that the person is their real-life
    friend.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to
                                 Jennifer Stout
        Social Media and Mental Health. According to press reports, Snap
    conducted user research on how often its users ``experience feelings of
    stress, depression, and anxiety.'' \1\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \1\ https://www.fastcompany.com/90461846/snapchat-introduces-new-
    interventions-for-mental-health

        Question 1. Please provide a copy of those research studies.
        Answer. We have conducted research to better understand how
    Snapchatters feel about our app, and their overall relationship to
    mental health--which we did to understand what resources we could build
    to better support them.
        According to research we conducted in 2019, 95 percent of
    Snapchatters said the app makes them feel happy, more than any other
    service tested. This research was released publicly.
        Additional research we conducted in 2019 showed that spending time
    with friends, whether in person or online, is the best defense against
    feeling lonely or depressed and that friends are often a first port of
    call for those struggling with a mental health challenge. We used the
    findings of this research to develop an in-app portal called Here For
    You, which surfaces resources from expert organizations to Snapchatters
    when they search for a range of mental health-related topics. We shared
    the findings of our research publicly at the time that we rolled out
    this feature. We are attaching it for you.

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        See attached Document 2 (Teens and Young Adults Research Finds
    Mental Health Top of Mind Among Young People).

        Question 2. Please list the titles of all research Snap has
    conducted in the last 18 months about mental health and its users.
        Answer. Below please find the titles of research Snap has
    concerning the effect of Snapchat on mental health and emotions of its
    users.

      1)  Teens and Young Adults Research Finds Mental Health Top of Mind
            Among Young People (Document 2)

      2)  Apposphere: How the Apps You Use Impact Your Daily Life and
            Emotions (Documents 3 and 4)

      3)  Fentanyl Research (Documents 5 and 6)

      4)  Coping During Covid: How the Pandemic Changed Video Consumption
            (Document 7)

      5)  Family Online Safety Research, available at Managing the
            Narrative: Young People's Use of Online Safety Tools

      6)  Demystifying the Snapchat Generation (Document 8)

      7)  Next Gen: The Reinvention of Friendship (Document 9)

      8)  Foundational Research (Document 10)

      9)  The Friendship Report (Documents 11 and 12)
                                   Document 2

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                   Document 3

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                   Document 4

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                   Document 5

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                   Document 6

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                   Document 7

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                   Document 8

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                   Document 9

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                  Document 10

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                  Document 11

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

                                  Document 12

    [GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

        Question 3. At the time a new feature was rolled out by Snap in
    2020, a representative of Snap, Inc. was quoted as saying, ``sometimes
    people come in and search for this kind of content, be it anxiety or
    depression.'' \2\ Is Snap tracking how often people search for content
    related to teens' mental health on the app? If so, please provide that
    data.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \2\ https://www.fastcompany.com/90461846/snapchat-introduces-new-
    interventions-for-mental-health
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Answer. When any user searches for specific mental-health related
    terms like ``depressed,'' ``suicide,'' ``anxiety'', and ``self care''
    they will be led to our mental health and body positivity portal, Here
    For You. In the past 30 days (from November 15, 2021) the Here For You
    portal was accessed a few thousand times. We minimize the collection
    and retention of data related to all search queries, and do not
    specifically conduct analysis on queries related to mental health.

        Social Media and Eating Disorders. Studies have found that eating
    disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental
    illness.\3\ Researchers have found a ``clear pattern of association''
    between social media use on apps like Snapchat and disordered eating
    patterns in teens.\4\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \3\ https://anad.org/get-informed/about-eating-disorders/eating-
    disorders-statistics/
        \4\ Wilksch, S. M., O'Shea, A., Ho, P., Byrne, S., & Wade, T. D.
    (2020). The relationship between social media use and disordered eating
    in young adolescents. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 53(1),
    96-106.

        Question 4. Are you aware of any research studies your company has
    conducted about how your app may push content promoting eating
    disorders to teens? If so, please provide those studies.
        Answer. We have not conducted any research studies on this issue.
    The promotion and glorification of eating disorders is a violation of
    our Community Guidelines and we remove all content that we find that
    violates this rule. Because Discover, our closed content platform where
    Snapchatters get their news and entertainment, is curated and
    moderated, there is little opportunity for users to be exposed to
    harmful viral content, including content promoting eating disorders. If
    Snapchatters search for terms that suggest interest in eating disorder
    content, they are directed to Here For You, which delivers users with
    information about eating disorder signs and symptoms in partnership
    with organizations such as the National Eating Disorders Association.

        Algorithms for Content Moderation. Frances Haugen disclosed that
    Facebook has been misleading the public about how well it can detect
    and remove harmful content.\5\ Facebook's internal documents estimated
    that their automated systems removed less than one percent of
    prohibited violent content.'' \6\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \5\ https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-ai-enforce-rules-
    engineers-doubtful-artificial-intelli
    gence-11634338184
        \6\ https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-ai-enforce-rules-
    engineers-doubtful-artificial-intelli
    gence-11634338184

        Question 5. Has Snap collected any data about how often Snap's
    automated content detection systems failed to capture content on
    Snapchat that violates the company's terms of service in the last 18
    months? If so, please provide that data.
        Answer. We have some data about the prevalence of content that has
    evaded automatic detection from the broadcast areas of our app. User-
    generated content that fails automatic moderation on our Spotlight and
    Discover platforms moves to a secondary phase of human moderation for
    further review. Approximately 0.09 percent of public user-generated
    stories on Discover are incorrectly auto-approved. For this 0.09
    percent, Snap has teams around the world that review Snapchatter
    reports and take down such content.
        We do not have data on our private content areas, but anyone can
    report inappropriate content for 24/7 review. We are constantly
    improving our ability to capture violating content by training our
    automation with our manual team's decisions. We also utilize
    technologies such as PhotoDNA and CSAI Match as described above that
    automatically detect known child sexual abuse material for
    investigation and referral to NCMEC and law enforcement.

        Advertising and Teenagers. Snap earns revenue from advertising.

        Question 1. Please provide copies of the 100 most popular ads, in
    terms of viewership, among all users on your platform in the last year.
        Answer. See attached spreadsheet (``Snap--Top 100 Most Popular
    Ads--Confidential'') with links to the ads. Some do not have links
    because they are dynamic product ads and do not have a set ad but
    rather, are generated from a product catalog at the time of viewing.

        Question 2. Please also provide copies of the 100 most popular ads,
    in terms of viewership, among teenagers on your platform in the last
    year.
        Answer. See attached spreadsheet (``Snap--Top 100 Most Popular
    Ads--Confidential'') with links to the ads. Some do not have links
    because they are dynamic product ads and do not have a set ad but
    rather, are generated from a product catalog at the time of viewing.

        Question 3. Snap reported that its advertising revenue per user in
    North America for the second quarter of 2021 was $7.37.\7\ How much of
    Snap's revenue in the second quarter of 2021 came from users under the
    age of 18?
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \7\ https://investor.snap.com/news/news-details/2021/Snap-Inc.-
    Announces-Second-Quarter-2021-Financial-Results/default.aspx
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Answer. We estimate that 13.3 percent of Q2 2021 North America
    revenue came from users between the ages of 13 and 17.

        Children on Social Media. Snap states that it prohibits children
    under 13 from creating accounts on the Snapchat app.

        Question. How many under 13 accounts has Snap removed in the last
    year?
        Answer. In the past 365 days (as of November 15, 2021), we've
    deleted 2,568 accounts for being under 13. In the last 30 days,
    approximately 3 percent of devices that attempted to register for a
    Snapchat account failed registration due to being under 13.
                                   Attachment

                  Snap--Top 100 Most Popular Ads--Confidential
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
     rank   ad--account--name   organization--name       download--link
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------
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            Interactive, Inc.   Inc.
            Self Service
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                                                     ad-manager-creatives-
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            Apple Music                              storage.googleapis.com/
                                                     ad-manager-creatives-
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                                                     8c53-4592-836f-
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                                                     ad-manager-creatives-
                                                     production-us/5aae8937-
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                                                     ad-manager-creatives-
                                                     production-us/3342f5d6-
                                                     e175-4df4-86bb-
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            Jolly Rancher       Social               storage.googleapis.com/
                                                     ad-manager-creatives-
                                                     production-us/bafdaad5-
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                                                     production-us/bfc78fc6-
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            Apple Music                              storage.googleapis.com/
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    ------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                     ______

     Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Richard Blumenthal to
                               Michael Beckerman
        Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation and Grooming. According to the
    National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 2020 was
    record-breaking for reports of child sexual exploitation, and this year
    has already exceeded that number of reports. In November 2019, I led a
    bipartisan letter to TikTok and other tech companies about what you are
    doing to stop child sexual exploitation.

        Question 1. What technologies do you have in place to automatically
    monitor for the grooming and enticement of children and report these
    crimes swiftly? If none, please explain why not.
        Answer. TikTok is committed to leveraging advanced technology to
    prevent, detect, remove, and report online child sexual exploitation
    content, including the grooming and enticement of children. Our
    Community Guidelines include policies that prohibit video, audio,
    livestream content, and accounts that depict or promote predation or
    grooming. We use artificial intelligence to identify potentially
    violating content or accounts and we create training modules to provide
    additional support to our human moderators who are reviewing such
    content. We also have implemented age-appropriate controls designed to
    help keep minors safe, including disabling direct messaging and hosting
    live streams for users under 16 years old. In addition, users can
    utilize the in-app report feature to report a video that they believe
    contains inappropriate content. If TikTok becomes aware of violative
    content, we will take immediate action to remove content, terminate
    accounts, and report cases to NCMEC and law enforcement as appropriate.
    All of these measures combine to help protect against minor grooming
    and enticement type content.

        Question 2. What technologies do you have in place to detect and
    stop predators from inducing children to send explicit images, videos,
    or live-streams of themselves? If none, please explain why not.
        Answer. First and foremost, it is not possible to send an off-
    platform video or image via our direct messaging feature on TikTok.
        Explicit images are prohibited by our Community Guidelines, which
    state that ``we do not allow depictions, including digitally created or
    manipulated content, of nudity or sexual activity.'' We utilize a
    variety of technologies, including Photo DNA, to identify such content
    to ensure that we swiftly identify and remove this content from the
    platform. As mentioned above, both our direct messaging and hosting of
    livestream features require a user to be at least 16 years of age to
    further reduce the possibility of younger users receiving inappropriate
    communications. In addition, users aged 16-17 have their direct
    messaging by default set to friends only.
        Question 3. What technologies do you have in place to detect Child
    Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) videos, both for known CSAM (such as the
    NCMEC hashlist) and new CSAM videos? If none, please explain why not.
        Answer. Studies have shown that CSAM is linked to and spread via
    private messaging. (See, e.g., https://www.innocentlivesfoundation.org/
    how-predators-have-infiltrated-social-media; https://
    www.missingkids.org/blog/2020/grooming-in-the-digital-age). As
    previously mentioned, TikTok restricts direct messaging to accounts
    ages 16 and over, and it is not possible to send an off-platform
    attachment (video or image) via our direct messaging feature on TikTok.
        TikTok has invested heavily in human and machine-based moderation
    tools to find and remove violative content, including CSAM. The systems
    and measures we have put in place, including the use of Photo DNA, work
    to proactively identify illegal and harmful content, and our automated
    technology filters and detects potentially violating content. Our human
    moderators review and determine whether content violates the Community
    Guidelines. If we become aware of violative content, we will take
    immediate action to remove content, terminate accounts, and report
    cases to NCMEC and law enforcement as appropriate. The NCMEC Hash
    Integration, integrated with NCMEC hash-sharing resource, is one of
    several tools we use to detect and swiftly remove and report CSAM.

        Question 4. Do you have specific mechanisms for users to report
    child sexual exploitation? If so, please elaborate on them; if not,
    please explain why not.
        Answer. Any video can be reported and flagged for review by any
    user. Users can report content that potentially violates our Community
    Guidelines, including minor safety issues, through our in-app reporting
    feature. Finally, anyone can report inappropriate content or users via
    our webform.

        Question 5. Do you include IP addresses in all reports to NCMEC? If
    not, please explain why not.
        Answer. Yes.

        Question 6. Please provide your policies and protocols on how you
    respond to law enforcement when they reach out for information relating
    to child sexual exploitation reports.
        Answer. TikTok's Law Enforcement Guidelines (available at https://
    www.tik
    tok.com/legal/law-enforcement) set forth the protocols for law
    enforcement officials seeking the data of users of the TikTok platform.
    TikTok also has internal policies and procedures governing how TikTok
    handles and responds to law enforcement requests, including requests
    related to child sexual exploitation. These policies require that
    TikTok disclose user data to law enforcement only where a request is
    based on a valid legal process or in emergency circumstances.

        Dangerous Content and Algorithmically-amplified Rabbit Holes.
    Videos on TikTok have shown young users dangerous content, and when
    these videos are part of challenges, they are seen widely across the
    platform. You said TikTok was never able to find evidence of a Blackout
    Challenge on the platform, despite widespread media coverage of the
    tragic deaths from this challenge and current videos on TikTok warning
    against participation in the challenge. Moreover, my staff have found
    videos of dangerous challenges like kids trying to pass out and
    encouraging others to do the same, some of which have been up for over
    a year.

        Question 1. Please explain the discrepancy between your statements
    and the reports of deaths due to Blackout Challenges on TikTok.
        Answer. Safety of our community is our priority. We strictly
    prohibit dangerous challenges, including so-called ``blackout
    challenges'', as such challenges would violate our Community
    Guidelines. We have removed ``blackout challenge'' and similar hashtags
    on the platform, and if someone searches for ``blackout challenge'',
    there would be no results. While we still have not found evidence of a
    ``blackout challenge'' trending on our platform, we remain vigilant in
    our commitment to user safety.
        To that end, a few months ago, we launched a global project to
    better understand young people's engagement with potentially harmful
    challenges and hoaxes. While not unique to any one platform, the
    effects and concerns are felt by all--and we wanted to learn how we
    might develop even more effective responses as we work to better
    support teens, parents, and educators. On November 17, 2021 we released
    the results of our research (available at: https://
    praesidiosafeguarding.co.uk/reports). We have used the findings from
    the report to inform a review of our policies and processes, and we're
    making a number of improvements to build on our existing safeguards.
    For example, we have developed a new resource for our Safety Center
    dedicated to challenges and hoaxes. This includes advice for caregivers
    that we hope can address the uncertainty they expressed about
    discussing this topic with their teens. We have also worked with
    experts to improve the language used in our warning labels that would
    appear to people who attempt to search our platform for content related
    to harmful challenges or hoaxes. Should people search for hoaxes linked
    to suicide or self-harm, we will now display additional resources in
    search. More information is available in our Newsroom here: https://
    newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/helping-our-community-stay-safe-while-having-
    fun-on-tiktok.

        Question 2. Please describe in detail the content moderation
    processes--both through machine learning and manual review by TikTok
    employees or agents--that TikTok uses to screen for and remove content
    related to the Blackout Challenge, passing out, self-harm, and related
    content.
        Answer. TikTok uses a combination of human and machine-based
    moderation tools to detect and remove violative content, which includes
    content related to self-harm and dangerous acts.
        All content uploaded to TikTok first runs through a level of
    automated review. Our automated technology systems continuously learn
    and adapt using data in each video, as well as from the ultimate
    moderation decisions that are made downstream based on their
    observations and predictions. Content that has a high probability of
    violating TikTok's guidelines is prioritized for review by our
    moderation team. If content is found to be violative of our guidelines,
    then the action prescribed by the relevant guideline--for example,
    removal of content--is immediately implemented.
        Another strategy we use to counter potentially dangerous content is
    to block certain key words and their variants. For example, if someone
    searches for blackoutchallenge, they will see a clickable message of
    how they can learn how to recognize harmful challenges. This means a
    user cannot access content with these terms via search, the terms will
    not be clickable from a video, and users will not be able to use these
    as hashtags in the future. Users are also prohibited from using these
    blocked terms in their account usernames.
        In addition to our proactive measures, our teams also diligently
    stay alert to trends to ensure any new potentially violative content is
    detected and removed as quickly as possible.

        Question 3. How effective are these review processes? How do you
    measure this effectiveness, given that you said 94 percent of content
    violations are removed proactively yet this content was still readily
    accessible?
        Answer. As reported in our most recent Transparency Report, for the
    period April-June 2021, approximately 81.5 million videos were removed
    globally for violating our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service,
    which is less than 1 percent of all videos uploaded. Of those videos,
    we identified and removed 93 percent within 24 hours of being posted,
    94 percent before a user reported them, and 87.5 percent at zero views.
        While we believe these statistics reflect that we have made great
    strides in our content moderation policies and procedures, we recognize
    that our work is never finished and continue to look for ways to
    improve our technology, policies, and procedures.

        Question 4. Recently, the Wall Street Journal reported a disturbing
    increase in the number of teens exhibiting tics, like physical jerking
    movements and verbal outbursts, which doctors and researchers have
    linked this to TikTok. Some hospitals are reporting a ten-fold rise in
    tic-like behaviors among teens. What is TikTok doing to combat this
    problem?
        Answer. We continue to consult closely with experts, who caution
    that correlation does not mean causation and more research is necessary
    to better understand this specific experience. Similarly, the fact-
    checking organization Snopes recently concluded that ``Social media
    consumption is just one possible explanation researchers provided
    alongside other stressors, including those related to coronavirus
    lockdowns as well as diagnoses of other mental health conditions . . .
    Furthermore, the claim is based on two observational reports published
    in peer-reviewed medical journals and not the results of a regimented
    scientific study. This suggests a correlation and one possible
    explanation, but it does not prove a causation.''

        Gun Videos Violating Community Guidelines. TikTok's community
    guidelines state: ``we do not allow the depiction, promotion, or trade
    of firearms, ammunition, firearm accessories, or explosive weapons. We
    also prohibit instructions on how to manufacture those weapons.''
    Unfortunately, content that violates these guidelines is frequently
    posted on TikTok. According to some reports, clips of guns and related
    content have been viewed nearly half a million times with hundreds of
    comments. Alarmingly, some gun dealers are taking customer orders in
    the comments section of these popular TikTok videos. Other reporting
    has highlighted how TikTok is enabling young users to find instructions
    for making their own homemade firearms using downloadable 3-D printing
    instructions.

        Question 1. Please describe in detail the processes--both through
    machine learning and manual review by TikTok employees or agents--that
    TikTok utilizes to enforce the community guidelines with respect to the
    depiction, promotion or trade of guns.
        Answer. TikTok prohibits and removes content that promotes or seeks
    to trade firearms, ammunition, firearm accessories, or explosive
    weapons, as well as instructions for manufacturing weapons. We do so to
    ensure that weapons are neither glorified when used for violence nor is
    TikTok used as a means of illegal arms sale. We do however make
    exceptions for the depiction of weapons in certain safe and controlled
    environments. As stated in our Community Guidelines: ``Content as part
    of a museum's collection, carried by a police officer, in a military
    parade, or used in a safe and controlled environment such as a shooting
    range may be allowed.''
        TikTok uses a combination of human and machine-based moderation
    tools to detect and remove violative content, which includes content
    related to the depiction, promotion, or trade of guns.
        All content uploaded to TikTok first runs through a level of
    automated review. Our automated technology systems continuously learn
    and adapt using data in each video, as well as from the ultimate
    moderation decisions that are made downstream based on their
    observations and predictions. Content that has a high probability of
    violating TikTok's guidelines is prioritized for review by our
    moderation team. If content is found to be violative of our guidelines,
    then the action prescribed by the relevant guideline--for example,
    removal of content--is immediately implemented.
        Additional strategies that we utilize include the blocking and
    redirecting to our Community Guidelines certain key words and their
    variants. This means a user cannot access content with these terms via
    search, the terms will not be clickable from a video, and users will
    not be able to use these as hashtags in the future. Users are now
    prohibited from using these blocked terms in their account usernames.
        We also continually refine our moderator guidance to clarify and
    enhance our enforcement on content involving the sale, trade,
    redirection to sale, and instructions to make firearms, firearm
    accessories, explosive weapons, and ammunition. We've also expanded our
    definition of firearms to broaden our moderation and enforcement
    methods.

        Question 2. Is there a specialized team of content moderators
    specific to this issue set? If so, approximately how many employees
    work on this issue?
        Answer. TikTok's Trust and Safety teams have experts as well as
    moderators who focus on Illegal Activities and Regulated Goods. TikTok
    has thousands of moderators working to protect the TikTok community and
    integrity for our platform.

        Question 3. What steps has TikTok taken to ensure content related
    to ghost guns and 3D printed guns do not appear on its platform? If
    none, please explain why not.
        Answer. We treat ghost guns and 3D printed guns the same as we do
    any other weapon and do not allow content that depicts methods to
    manufacture, trade or glorify these weapons or associated accessories.
    TikTok uses an AI model to detect firearms in videos. Like our approach
    to traditional weapons, we have invested in training our automated
    technologies, as well as training our moderators, to recognize these
    weapons when conducting their content evaluations.

        Question 4. For posts deemed to violate TikTok's community
    standards with respect to the depiction, promotion or trade of guns,
    what is the average time it takes TikTok to identify and remove such
    posts?
        Answer. During the second quarter of this year, 20.9 percent of the
    videos removed violated our policy that prohibits criminal activities
    or the promotion or trade of drugs, tobacco, alcohol, and other
    controlled substances or regulated goods. 95.7 percent of these videos
    were removed within 24 hours of being posted, 92.3 percent were removed
    at zero views, and 97.1 percent were removed before any reports.

        Question 5. What does TikTok view as the major hurdles to
    enforcement of its community guidelines with respect to the depiction,
    promotion or trade of guns?
        Answer. We recognize there is no finish line when it comes to
    safety and that nefarious actors will continue to try to manipulate our
    platform for their own gain. Examples of this include actors using
    coded language, or depicting dissembled or otherwise masked weapons. We
    work with a range of experts to identify such work-arounds or tactics
    to ensure they do not take a foothold on our platform. These experts
    have also offered insights on our policies and shared research with us.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to
                               Michael Beckerman
        Social Media and Eating Disorders. Studies have found that eating
    disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental
    illness.\1\ At the hearing, I asked TikTok about research related to
    eating disorder content on TikTok. You said you were not aware of any
    research studies TikTok has conducted about how your apps push content
    promoting eating disorders to teens, but that TikTok works with
    ``outside experts'' to understand these issues.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \1\ https://anad.org/get-informed/about-eating-disorders/eating-
    disorders-statistics/

        Question. Please share any studies TikTok is aware of, including
    involving outside researchers, related to the relationship between
    TikTok and eating disorders.
        Answer. TikTok has partnered with the National Eating Disorders
    Association (NEDA) to raise awareness about eating disorders. TikTok
    worked with NEDA and other experts to develop in-app resources to
    provide access to help from expert organizations, and these
    conversations informed the list of searches and hashtags that we
    redirect to the NEDA helpline (and for which we block results).
    Additionally, we consult with NEDA and other experts on our eating
    disorder related policies and language in our Community Guidelines.
        In September 2021, TikTok expanded on these resources with a new
    Safety Center guide on eating disorders for teens, caregivers, and
    educators (available at https://www.tiktok.com/safety/en-us/eating-
    disorder/). Developed in consultation with independent experts
    including the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), National
    Eating Disorder Information Centre, Butterfly Foundation, and Bodywhys,
    this guide will provide information, support and advice on eating
    disorders.

        Advertising and Teenagers. Tik Tok earns revenue from showing ads.

        Question 1. Please provide copies of the 100 most popular ads, in
    terms of viewership, among all users on your platform in the last year.
        Answer. Information relating to advertising performance, such as
    viewership, is confidential and sensitive information, both to TikTok
    and to TikTok's advertisers to which TikTok has confidentiality
    obligations. Please note that TikTok makes available some of its top
    performing ads in the Creative Center it maintains for registered
    advertisers, available at https://ads.tiktok.com/business/
    creativecenter/inspiration/topads/pc/en, only when the advertiser has
    granted TikTok permission. TikTok does not share total viewership of
    the ads that are available in the Creative Center.

        Question 2. Please also provide copies of the 100 most popular ads,
    in terms of viewership, among teenagers on your platform in the last
    year.
        Answer. Information relating to advertising performance, such as
    viewership among teenagers, is confidential and sensitive information,
    both to TikTok and to TikTok's advertisers to which TikTok has
    confidentiality obligations. Please note that TikTok makes available
    some of its top performing ads in the Creative Center it maintains for
    registered advertisers, available at https://ads.tiktok.com/business/
    creativecenter/inspiration/topads/pc/en, only when the advertiser has
    granted TikTok permission. TikTok does not share total viewership of
    the ads that are available in the Creative Center.

        Advertising Revenue. TikTok is privately held, so we don't have
    public documents on your advertising revenue per user.

        Question 1. TikTok's best estimate of advertising revenue per U.S.
    user for the last quarter?
        Answer. TikTok generates substantially all of its revenue from
    selling advertising. However, details regarding the company's revenue
    constitute confidential and proprietary business information, which we
    do not share publicly.

        Question 2. How much of TikTok's U.S. revenue came from users under
    the age of 18? If precise data is not available, provide an estimate.
        Answer. TikTok generates substantially all of its revenue from
    selling advertising. However, details regarding the company's revenue
    constitute confidential and proprietary business information, which we
    do not share publicly.

        Algorithms for Content Moderation. Frances Haugen disclosed that
    Facebook has been misleading the public about how well it can detect
    and remove harmful content.\2\ Facebook's internal documents estimated
    that their automated systems removed less than one percent of
    prohibited violent content.'' \3\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \2\ https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-ai-enforce-rules-
    engineers-doubtful-artificial-intelligence-11634338184
        \3\ https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-ai-enforce-rules-
    engineers-doubtful-artificial-intelligence-11634338184

        Question. Has TikTok collected any data about how often TikTok's
    automated content detection systems failed to capture content on TikTok
    that violates the company's terms of service in the last 18 months? If
    so, please provide that data.
        Answer. TikTok discloses removals of violative videos in our
    quarterly Community Guidelines Enforcement Reports. TikTok began
    disclosing total removals based on automated content detection in our
    April-July 2021 report. During 2021Q2, 81,518,334 videos were removed
    globally for violating our Community Guidelines or Terms of Service,
    which is less than 1 percent of all videos uploaded. During this time-
    frame we also continued to roll out technology in additional markets
    that automatically detects and removes some categories of violative
    content. As a result, 16,957,950 of the total removals were handled
    through this technology.

        Children on Social Media. TikTok allows kids under 13 in the United
    States to use the TikTok app through TikTok's ``experience for Younger
    Users.'' \4\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \4\ See https://www.tiktok.com/legal/privacy-policy-for-younger-
    users?lang=en

        Question. How many under 13 accounts have you removed from TikTok--
    not TikTok's experience for kids--in the last year?
        Answer. Earlier this year TikTok began proactively disclosing data
    in our Community Guidelines Enforcement Reports regarding the removal
    of suspected underage accounts. Although other platforms have made
    similar disclosures, we note that TikTok was the first company to do
    so.
        In the first quarter of 2021, 7,263,952 suspected underage accounts
    were removed globally from the full TikTok experience for potentially
    belonging to a person under the age of 13.
        In the second quarter of 2021, 11,205,597 suspected underage
    accounts were removed globally from the full TikTok experience for
    potentially belonging to a person under the age of 13.

        Harmful Content on Social Media. TikTok now has more than a billion
    users,\5\ yet TikTok's algorithm is a secretive black box to almost
    everyone. A recent investigation by the Wall Street Journal showed that
    TikTok can easily push teen users into rabbit holes of potentially
    harmful content, including content that TikTok supposedly bans, related
    to eating disorders, drugs, and violence.\6\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \5\ https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/1-billion-people-on-tiktok
        \6\ https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-algorithm-sex-drugs-minors-
    11631052944?mod=Search
    results_pos9&page=1

        Question. Reports have indicated a significant portion of TikTok's
    user base is minors.\7\ Approximately how many of your U.S. users are
    under the age of 18? How many are under 13?
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \7\ https://www.wsj.com/articles/tiktok-tops-1-billion-monthly-
    users-11632760678?mod=Search
    results_pos7&page=1
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Answer. To learn more about TikTok's recommendation system, please
    see our Newsroom post for additional details: https://
    newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/how-tiktok-recommends-videos-for-you. We also
    release regular transparency reports, and we routinely provide public
    updates on our efforts to continuously improve platform safety. Our
    Content Advisory Council brings together technology and safety experts
    who help shape our forward-looking policies that not only address the
    challenges of today, but also plan ahead for the next set of issues
    that our industry will face. And we have also opened our Transparency
    and Accountability Centers, which due to constraints as a result of the
    coronavirus pandemic are currently virtual experiences. At TikTok
    Transparency and Accountability Centers, invited guests and experts
    will have the opportunity to review:

       How our trained content moderators apply TikTok's Community
            Guidelines to review the content and accounts that are
            escalated to them via user reports and technology-based
            flagging.

       Our data security practices and the measures we're taking to
            safeguard user privacy and information.

       TikTok source code, which will be made available at the
            center for testing and evaluation. Additionally, visitors will
            learn how our application's algorithm operates.

        We do not publicly share details on user demographics.

        Social Media and Medical Impacts. A recent Wall Street Journal
    report highlighted several instances of teenage girls going to their
    doctors' offices with tics, including physical jerking movements and
    verbal outbursts. Doctors have said that content watched on TikTok
    might be playing a factor in teens developing tics.\8\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \8\ https://www.wsj.com/articles/teen-girls-are-developing-tics-
    doctors-say-tiktok-could-be-a-factor-11634389201

        Question. TikTok has stated that they are looking into the
    connection between videos on TikTok and teens developing tics.\9\ What
    is the company doing right now to intervene to protect kids on TikTok
    while doctors and researchers examine this issue?
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \9\ https://www.wsj.com/articles/teen-girls-are-developing-tics-
    doctors-say-tiktok-could-be-a-factor-11634389201
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Answer. We continue to consult closely with experts, who caution
    that correlation does not mean causation and more research is necessary
    to better understand this specific experience. Similarly, the fact-
    checking organization Snopes recently concluded that ``Social media
    consumption is just one possible explanation researchers provided
    alongside other stressors, including those related to coronavirus
    lockdowns as well as diagnoses of other mental health conditions. . .
    Furthermore, the claim is based on two observational reports published
    in peer-reviewed medical journals and not the results of a regimented
    scientific study. This suggests a correlation and one possible
    explanation, but it does not prove a causation.''
                                     ______

      Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to
                               Michael Beckerman
        Question 1. Do you get parental consent when you do research on
    kids? Can you provide a copy of a blank parental consent form, if
    applicable?
        Answer. TikTok has engaged external experts to conduct research on
    the topics of dangerous challenges and cyberbullying, and in both
    cases, the third parties we engaged sought parental consent.

        Question 2. Can you provide clarity on your chain of ownership and
    whether the language in your privacy policy saying you share language
    ``with your parent company and affiliates'' means that you share U.S.
    user data with ByteDance or its employees or contractors?
        Answer. The TikTok platform collects personal information from U.S.
    users in accordance with its Privacy Policy. All U.S. user data is
    stored on servers located in the U.S., with backup data stored on
    servers in Singapore.
        Some ByteDance entities provide services that support the operation
    of the TikTok platform, such as providing technical support services.
    To the extent that these support functions require ByteDance entities
    to access U.S. user data, such access is remote (as U.S. user data is
    stored in the U.S. and Singapore), and steps are taken to limit such
    access, including restricting who has access to which dataset,
    implementing strong authentication measures, logging of access,
    limiting access periods, and encrypting data.

        Question 3. Why do you say in your testimony that you aren't aware
    that viral trends like ``Devious Licks'' were on your site?
        School administrators in Tennessee have suffered serious property
    damage from content like this. How does this square with comments about
    TikTok's commitment to removing dangerous content?
        How do your content moderators go about becoming aware of such
    videos to determine what to remove or deprioritize?
        Answer. Over the last year, there have been increasing concerns
    around online challenges and hoaxes. Although these concerns are not
    unique to any one platform (and, in some instances, have been focused
    on so-called challenges that TikTok has not found evidence of on our
    platform), TikTok takes seriously our responsibility to support and
    protect teens, and to help limit exposure to content about challenges
    that may be harmful or dangerous.
        Content that depicts dangerous or criminal activities violates
    TikTok's Community Guidelines, and we remove such content from our
    platform as soon as we discover it. With regard to the ``Devious
    Licks'' challenge that impacted various platforms, including TikTok, we
    moved quickly to identify and remove associated videos and audio from
    our platform as soon as we became aware of them. Overall, we removed
    more than 200,000 videos related to this trend.
        TikTok uses a combination of human moderators and machine-based
    moderation tools to detect and remove content that violates our
    Community Guidelines, which prohibit content related to dangerous or
    criminal activities. All content uploaded to TikTok first runs through
    a level of automated review. Our automated technology systems
    continuously learn and adapt using data in each video, as well as from
    the ultimate moderation decisions that are made by human moderators
    based on their observations and predictions. The automated filters
    remove certain content automatically and flag other content for
    prioritized review by our human moderation team. If content is found to
    be violative of our Guidelines, then the action prescribed by the
    relevant guideline (e.g., removal of content) is implemented. In
    addition to these proactive measures, our teams also diligently stay
    alert to trends to ensure that any new potentially violative content is
    detected and reviewed as quickly as possible.
        TikTok remains vigilant in our commitment to user safety, and to
    that end, a few months ago, we launched a global project to better
    understand young people's engagement with potentially harmful
    challenges and hoaxes. We have used the findings from the report to
    inform a review of our policies and processes, and we're making a
    number of improvements to build on our existing safeguards. More
    information is available in our Newsroom here: https://
    newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/helping-our-community-stay-safe-while-having-
    fun-on-tiktok.
                                     ______

         Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Rick Scott to
                               Michael Beckerman
        Question 1. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a Chinese conglomerate
    that has strategic partnerships with the Communist Chinese Ministry of
    Public Security, an agency of the Communist Party of China that is
    tasked with ``public security,'' or more basically ``mass
    surveillance'' of their citizens. In 2017 the Communist Party of China
    enacted a law that requires any Chinese company to provide information
    or data upon request, which may include Americans' data collected by
    TikTok.
        Does TikTok collect data on American citizens and house or route
    that data in or through Communist China?
        Answer. TikTok collects personal information from U.S. users in
    accordance with its Privacy Policy. All U.S. user data collected on the
    TikTok platform is stored on servers located in the U.S., with backup
    data stored on servers in Singapore.
        Some ByteDance entities provide services that support the operation
    of the TikTok platform, such as providing technical support services.
    To the extent that these support functions require ByteDance entities
    to access U.S. user data, such access is remote (as U.S. user data is
    stored in the U.S. and Singapore), and steps are taken to limit such
    access, including restrictions on who has access to which dataset,
    strong authentication measures, logging of access, limited access
    period, and encryption of data.

        Does TikTok comply with all of Communist China's laws that require
    it to provide data including data on American citizens?
        Answer. The TikTok platform is not available in mainland China and
    is not the focus of the Chinese counter-espionage law, national
    security law, or national intelligence law. TikTok has never been asked
    or subpoenaed by the Chinese government to provide any U.S. user data,
    and the Chinese government has never asserted any legal rights over
    such data.

        In 2019, the Washington Post ran an article about TikTok's
    censorship of ``#hongkong''. Does TikTok, at the request of the
    Communist Chinese government, censor American users' content, such as a
    post about the need for democracy in Hong Kong or a post condemning the
    treatment of the Uyghur Muslim population in China?
        Answer. TikTok has established a U.S. Safety Team that is based in
    the U.S. and led by an American, which makes independent decisions
    regarding content moderation in the U.S. TikTok does not remove content
    based on sensitivities related to China. We have never been asked by
    the Chinese government to remove any content, and we would not do so if
    asked. One can find user generated content on TikTok addressing users'
    views of diverse subjects, including democracy in Hong Kong and the
    treatment of the Uyghur Muslim population in China.

        Question 2. In July, the Wall Street Journal ran an investigation
    into TikTok's use of algorithms, which found that these algorithms
    collect massive amounts of data on each user and their interests,
    creating an echo chamber of videos that TikTok believes the user wants
    to see. TikTok will continue to feed the user more and more of related
    videos.
        It appears that the common theme with most platforms is how you get
    a user to stay on your platform for as long as possible. I think
    everyone could agree that all social media platforms can become
    addictive. Do you believe the use of your algorithms are harmful to
    users, especially teenagers and children?
        Does TikTok study the harmful impacts that using their platform has
    on different demographics that use your platform?
        If so, will you make that research public?
        Answer. TikTok takes seriously our responsibility to help maintain
    a safe environment for our community, especially for teens. TikTok
    conducts research on a variety of topics relating to safety and would
    be happy to discuss the findings with your office.

        Question 3. It is pretty fair to assume that a large portion of the
    growth and revenue that your platforms bring in is centered on ensuring
    a growing youth user base. To keep growing as a platform, you likely
    need new young users, which in turn requires you to target younger
    demographics in outreach. Current Federal law prohibits platforms such
    as yours from collecting data on children under 13 years old. Companies
    like YouTube paid $170 million to settle allegations by the FTC and the
    New York Attorney General for allegedly collecting personal information
    from children without their parents' consent.
        What portion of your user base in the United States is under 18-
    years old?
        Answer. TikTok disagrees with the premise of the question that
    TikTok is required ``to target younger demographics.'' TikTok
    celebrates diversity and welcomes people of different ages, cultures,
    and backgrounds. We do not publicly share details on our user
    demographics.

        Do you believe that provisions in the Children's Online Privacy
    Protection Act (COPPA), that require parental consent for collecting
    data on children under 13, should be reviewed and possibly changed to
    increase the age limit?
        Answer. We are supportive of an effective Children's Online Privacy
    Protection Act and would be happy to meet with your office to discuss
    any specific provisions or proposals.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Cynthia Lummis to
                               Michael Beckerman
        Question 1. In response to my question regarding information that
    TikTok automatically collects on its users, you asserted that you
    collect less information than many of your peers, namely ``Facebook and
    Instagram.'' Please identify the specific privacy policies, data
    collection practices, or security measures, that you have adopted which
    are less intrusive than your peers in this space, including, but not
    limited to, Facebook and Instagram.
        Answer. At TikTok, we respect the privacy of our users and look to
    adhere to data minimization principles. For example, we do not require
    users to provide their real name in order to create an account. We also
    do not ask our users for personal background information, such as
    education, employment, or marital status.

        Question 2. In our hearing you stated that you would follow up with
    my office, you have not. Will TikTok commit to giving my staff a
    privacy briefing?
        Answer. Yes.

        Question 3. Your privacy policy states that you may share, ``all of
    the information we collect with a parent, subsidiary, or other
    affiliate of our corporate group.'' Does ByteDance technology, or any
    other affiliate controlled in whole or in part by the Chinese Communist
    Party, receive directly or indirectly through commerce or otherwise,
    information collected about TikTok users outside of China?
        Answer. ByteDance Ltd. is not, and does not have any affiliates,
    controlled in whole or in part by the Chinese Communist Party.
        Beijing ByteDance Technology Co., Ltd. is a separately held
    subsidiary under ByteDance Ltd. that is focused on the domestic China
    market. It has no ownership or control over TikTok, and no input into
    TikTok's operations. Further, employees of Beijing ByteDance Technology
    Co., Ltd. are restricted from accessing U.S. user data.

        Question 4. Has your business conducted internal research, or
    contracted or collaborated with external entities to perform research
    examining, or which has revealed, various harms that can result from
    using your platform generally, or specifically as it relates to its use
    by minors? This harm definition should include deleterious effects to a
    user's social, mental, or physical well-being.
        If so, will you commit to sharing that research with Members of
    Congress and/or appropriate outside professionals?
        Answer. TikTok takes seriously our responsibility to help maintain
    a safe environment for our community, especially for teens. TikTok
    conducts research on a variety of topics relating to safety and would
    be happy to discuss the findings with your office.

        Question 5. You stated in your testimony that length of engagement,
    or some variation of it, was one of many metrics that your company uses
    to measure your company's success. This necessarily implies the
    existence of other metrics that your company uses to define success.
    Please identify all of those specific metrics, how the specific metric
    is calculated and tracked on the platform, and how they might align
    with or relate to your company's specific mission.
        Answer. There is no single metric or set of metrics that define
    TikTok's success. Depending on the objective, we may look at different
    metrics. For example, to help provide a safe, diverse, and entertaining
    experience on our platform, we consider a range of safety metrics (such
    as the account and content removals detailed in our Community Guideline
    Enforcement Reports) and engagement metrics (such as time spent, video
    views, and likes).
                                     ______

         Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. John Thune to
                               Michael Beckerman
        Question. TikTok's privacy policy states that ``We may share all of
    the information we collect with a parent, subsidiary, or other
    affiliate of our corporate group.'' Please provide a complete list of
    all parent, subsidiary, or other affiliates with whom you share the
    information that you collect.
        Answer. TikTok Inc. is a U.S. entity. Its parent company is TikTok
    LLC, which is owned by TikTok Ltd., which in turn is owned by ByteDance
    Ltd. TikTok entities within our corporate group include TikTok Pte.
    Ltd. (Singapore), TikTok Information Technologies UK Ltd. (UK), TikTok
    Technology Ltd. (Ireland), TikTok Technology Canada Inc. (Canada),
    TikTok Australia Pty. Ltd. (Australia), and TikTok Hong Kong Ltd. (Hong
    Kong), among others. In addition to these entities, affiliates under
    our Privacy Policy also include some non-TikTok entities under
    ByteDance Ltd. that provide services that support the operation of the
    TikTok platform, such as providing technical support services. To the
    extent that these support functions require ByteDance entities to
    access U.S. user data, such access is remote (as U.S. user data is
    stored in the U.S. and Singapore), and steps are taken to limit such
    access, including restrictions on who has access to which dataset,
    strong authentication measures, logging of access, limited access
    period, and encryption of data.
                                     ______

          Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ted Cruz to
                               Michael Beckerman
        Question 1. Mr. Beckerman, in your testimony before the
    subcommittee, you acknowledged that ByteDance, the parent company of
    TikTok, is considered part of TikTok's ``corporate group'' as that term
    is used in TikTok's privacy policy. The relevant paragraphs of that
    policy are reproduced below:
    How we share your information
        We are committed to maintaining your trust, and while TikTok does
    not sell personal information to third parties, we want you to
    understand when and with whom we may share the information we collect
    for business purposes.
        . . .
    Within Our Corporate Group
        We may share all of the information we collect with a parent,
    subsidiary, or other affiliate of our corporate group.

        You would not, however, say whether Beijing ByteDance Technology, a
    sister company of TikTok, is included under the same ``Within Our
    Corporate Group'' paragraph, which outlines ``How [TikTok] share[s]
    your information.''

        As I noted during the hearing, media reports from earlier this year
    showed the Chinese government took a minority stake in Beijing
    ByteDance Technology, doing so through the use of the state-backed
    ``Internet Investment Chinese (Beijing) Technology'' entity.
    Additionally, it was reported that as part of this deal a government
    official named ``Wu Shugang'' took one of three board seats at Beijing
    ByteDance Technology. According to those same reports, this government
    official, Wu Shugang, has spent most of his career in Chinese
    propaganda, including with a stint at the ``online opinion bureau''
    under the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), China's Internet
    regulator.

        Mr. Beckerman, I'll ask again in writing--is Beijing ByteDance
    Technology, which press reports have characterized as a subsidiary of
    ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, considered to be part of your
    ``corporate group'' as that term is used in TikTok's privacy policy?
    Please answer this question with a `yes' or `no'.
        Answer. Beijing ByteDance Technology Co., Ltd. is a separately held
    subsidiary under ByteDance Ltd. that is focused on the domestic China
    market. It has no ownership or control over TikTok, and no input into
    TikTok's operations. Further, employees of Beijing ByteDance Technology
    Co., Ltd. are restricted from accessing U.S. user data.

        Question 2. Mr. Beckerman, how many entities are in TikTok's
    ``corporate group'' as that term is used in TikTok's privacy policy,
    and what is their relationship to each other? Please provide an
    organizational chart illustrating these relationships if available.
        Answer. TikTok Inc. is a U.S. entity. Its parent company is TikTok
    LLC, which is owned by TikTok Ltd., which in turn is owned by ByteDance
    Ltd. TikTok entities within our corporate group include TikTok Pte.
    Ltd. (Singapore), TikTok Information Technologies UK Ltd. (UK), TikTok
    Technology Ltd. (Ireland), TikTok Technology Canada Inc. (Canada),
    TikTok Australia Pty. Ltd. (Australia), and TikTok Hong Kong Ltd. (Hong
    Kong), among others. In addition to these entities, affiliates under
    our Privacy Policy also include some non-TikTok entities under
    ByteDance Ltd. that provide services that support the operation of the
    TikTok platform.

        Question 3. Mr. Beckerman, please provide a definition for parent,
    subsidiary, other affiliate, and corporate group, as those terms are
    used in TikTok's privacy policy.
        Answer. TikTok Inc. is a U.S. entity. Its parent company is TikTok
    LLC, which is owned by TikTok Ltd., which in turn is owned by ByteDance
    Ltd. TikTok entities within our corporate group include TikTok Pte.
    Ltd. (Singapore), TikTok Information Technologies UK Ltd. (UK), TikTok
    Technology Ltd. (Ireland), TikTok Technology Canada Inc. (Canada),
    TikTok Australia Pty. Ltd. (Australia), and TikTok Hong Kong Ltd. (Hong
    Kong), among others. In addition to these entities, affiliates under
    our Privacy Policy also include some non-TikTok entities under
    ByteDance Ltd. that provide services that support the operation of the
    TikTok platform.

        Question 4. Mr. Beckerman, please provide the following:

      1.  The legal name of each ``parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate''
            which is part of TikTok's ``corporate group.''

      2.  The location where each ``parent, subsidiary, or other
            affiliate'' is headquartered

      3.  The location where each ``parent, subsidiary, or other
            affiliate'' is domiciled, if domicile location differs from
            where the parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate is
            headquartered.

      4.  For each ``parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate,'' the laws
            under which they were originally incorporated.

      5.  For each ``parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate,'' the laws
            under which they currently operate, if different from the laws
            under which they were incorporated. If there are multiple
            jurisdictions, please list all that apply for each ``parent,
            subsidiary, or other affiliate.''

      6.  For each ``parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate,'' the full
            names of the leadership of each ``parent, subsidiary, or other
            affiliate,'' including the members of the board where
            applicable.

      7.  For each ``parent, subsidiary, or other affiliate,'' the mix of
            capital backing the entity, including all state-owned banks or
            financing regimes, or state-backed banks or financing regimes,
            the names of those state-owned or state-backed banks and
            financing regimes, and the names of those nations.

        Answer. TikTok Inc. is a U.S. entity. Its parent company is TikTok
    LLC, which is owned by TikTok Ltd., which in turn is owned by ByteDance
    Ltd. TikTok entities within our corporate group include TikTok Pte.
    Ltd. (Singapore), TikTok Information Technologies UK Ltd. (UK), TikTok
    Technology Ltd. (Ireland), TikTok Technology Canada Inc. (Canada),
    TikTok Australia Pty. Ltd. (Australia), and TikTok Hong Kong Ltd. (Hong
    Kong), among others. In addition to these entities, affiliates under
    our Privacy Policy also include some non-TikTok entities under
    ByteDance Ltd. that provide services that support the operation of the
    TikTok platform.

        Question 5. Mr. Beckerman, also in TikTok's privacy policy is a
    paragraph titled ``for legal reasons.'' The relevant text has been
    reproduced below:
    How we share your information
        We are committed to maintaining your trust, and while TikTok does
    not sell personal information to third parties, we want you to
    understand when and with whom we may share the information we collect
    for business purposes.
        . . .
    For Legal Reasons
        We may disclose any of the information we collect to respond to
    subpoenas, court orders, legal process, law enforcement requests, legal
    claims, or government inquiries, and to protect and defend the rights,
    interests, safety, and security of TikTok Inc., the Platform, our
    affiliates, users, or the public. We may also share any of the
    information we collect to enforce any terms applicable to the Platform,
    to exercise or defend any legal claims, and comply with any applicable
    law.
        Mr. Beckerman, please answer whether TikTok would consider demands
    made under the following to fall under the umbrella of ``subpoenas,
    court orders, legal process, law enforcement requests, legal claims, or
    government inquiries'' for which TikTok may ``disclose any of the
    information [it] collect[s]'':

      1.  China's 2014 counter-espionage law, which allows Chinese
            authorities to seal or seize any property linked to activities
            deemed harmful to the country.

      2.  China's 2015 national security law, which outlaws threats to
            China's government, sovereignty and national unity as well as
            its economy, society, and cyber and space interests.

      3.  China's 2017 national intelligence law, which obliges
            individuals, organizations, and institutions to assist Public
            Security and State Security officials in carrying out a wide
            array of ``intelligence'' work, and stipulates that ``any
            organization or citizen shall support, assist, and cooperate
            with state intelligence work according to law.''

        Answer. The TikTok platform is not available in mainland China and
    is not the focus of the Chinese counter-espionage law, national
    security law, or national intelligence law. TikTok has never been asked
    or subpoenaed by the Chinese government to provide any U.S. user data,
    and the Chinese government has never asserted any legal rights over
    such data.

        Question 6. Mr. Beckerman, as a subsidiary of ByteDance, would
    TikTok consider protecting ByteDance from government retribution, say
    by turning over data to the Chinese Communist Party, to be in defense
    of ``the rights, interests, safety, and security of TikTok Inc., the
    Platform,'' or its ``affiliates'' ?
        Answer. The TikTok platform is not available in mainland China and
    is not the focus of the Chinese counter-espionage law, national
    security law, or national intelligence law. TikTok has never been asked
    or subpoenaed by the Chinese government to provide any U.S. user data,
    and the Chinese government has never asserted any legal rights over
    such data.
        As a U.S.-based company, TikTok Inc. is committed to abiding by the
    laws to which it is subject. Any subpoenas, legal processes, and
    government inquiries would be evaluated by legal professionals on
    behalf of TikTok and responded to in accordance with applicable laws.

        Question 7. Mr. Beckerman, is Beijing ByteDance Technology,
    considered to be one of TikTok's ``affiliates'' which, in defense of,
    TikTok could share ``any of the information'' it collects?
        Answer. Beijing ByteDance Technology Co., Ltd. is a separately held
    subsidiary under ByteDance Ltd. that is focused on the domestic China
    market. It has no ownership or control over TikTok, and no input into
    TikTok's operations. Further, employees of Beijing ByteDance Technology
    Co., Ltd. are restricted from accessing U.S. user data.

        Question 8. Mr. Beckerman, please list, in detail, the following
    for all ``affiliates'' which, in defense of, TikTok could share ``any
    of the information'' it collects:

      1.  The legal name.

      2.  The location where headquartered.

      3.  The location where domiciled.

      4.  The laws under which each was incorporated.

      5.  The laws under which each operate currently. If there are
            multiple jurisdictions, please list all that apply.

        Answer. TikTok Inc. is a U.S. entity. Its parent company is TikTok
    LLC, which is owned by TikTok Ltd., which in turn is owned by ByteDance
    Ltd. TikTok entities within our corporate group include TikTok Pte.
    Ltd. (Singapore), TikTok Information Technologies UK Ltd. (UK), TikTok
    Technology Ltd. (Ireland), TikTok Technology Canada Inc. (Canada),
    TikTok Australia Pty. Ltd. (Australia), and TikTok Hong Kong Ltd. (Hong
    Kong), among others. In addition to these entities, affiliates under
    our Privacy Policy also include some non-TikTok entities under
    ByteDance Ltd. that provide services that support the operation of the
    TikTok platform, such as providing technical support services. To the
    extent that these support functions require ByteDance entities to
    access U.S. user data, such access is remote (as U.S. user data is
    stored in the U.S. and Singapore), and steps are taken to limit such
    access, including restrictions on who has access to which dataset,
    strong authentication measures, logging of access, limited access
    period, and encryption of data.

        Question 9. Mr. Beckerman, what product development is done solely
    in China? What product development is shared between Chinese employees
    and American employees, and what is the breakdown of how much of this
    shared product development is done in China vs. the United States?
        Answer. The team members that work on product development and
    related features are located in the U.S., China, Singapore, and Europe.
    We are unable to provide a breakdown of how much development is done in
    China versus other countries where we do product development, and any
    such percentage would be constantly changing in any event, as we
    continue to hire more engineering talent. Our global approach towards
    product development is similar to the approach of other large global
    tech companies that likewise have product development or innovation
    teams in various global locations, including the U.S., China, India,
    and Europe.

        Question 10. Of TikTok's employees in the United States, what
    number have ByteDance e-mail addresses and what percentage of the
    American workforce does that represent?
        Answer. TikTok Inc. is a large, fast-growing company that is part
    of an even larger global organization in ByteDance Ltd. TikTok Inc.
    employees have ByteDance domain e-mails but can also choose to have a
    TikTok e-mail address, which some do. Using an e-mail domain that is
    tied to the top level entity is a common practice for large
    multinational organizations.

        Question 11. What data do ByteDance employees in China have
    unrestricted access to?
        Answer. ByteDance employees in China do not have unrestricted
    access to U.S. user data.

        Question 12. What data is controlled by TikTok's ``access
    controls''?
        Answer. TikTok's data access approval policy, which sets out
    TikTok's data access controls and procedures, applies to all TikTok
    U.S. user data.

        Question 13. Of the ByteDance employees in China who have access or
    have previously accessed TikTok data, how many of them are affiliated
    with, or have some kind of relationship with, the Chinese Communist
    Party? Please list, in detail, what those relationships are and what
    data these employees had or have access to.
        Answer. TikTok Inc. does not have information about the status of
    the political affiliation of ByteDance employees in China, nor does
    TikTok Inc. have information about the political affiliation of
    employees of other ByteDance entities outside the U.S.

        Question 14. Mr. Beckerman, it was reported in July of this year
    that TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, began licensing parts of its
    artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to third parties through a
    new division called BytePlus. According to this reporting, customers
    can pay ``to use recommendation algorithms, real-time filters, and
    effects, automated translations, and computer vision tech, akin to
    what's found in TikTok . . .''
        Mr. Beckerman, how does TikTok use AI in its algorithms, filters,
    and other parts of the platform?
        Answer. TikTok uses AI in its recommendation system that powers the
    For You feed. Recommendation systems are common for entertainment and
    social media platforms like Netflix, YouTube, and Instagram. To learn
    more about TikTok's recommendation system, please see our Newsroom post
    for additional details: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/how-tiktok-
    recommends-videos-for-you. TikTok also uses AI-based technology for its
    Discover page, special effects, platform safety and content moderation,
    and data security tools.
        ByteDance recently began offering recommendation technology through
    BytePlus, a new technology services subsidiary, but the recommendation
    technology provided by BytePlus is not the TikTok recommendation
    system, which has been highly customized and refined over time for the
    global TikTok business and user community.

        Question 15. Of the technologies ByteDance is licensing through
    BytePlus, which of them are also technologies used by TikTok?
        Please specify the technology being licensed through BytePlus, and
    how each is used by TikTok currently or was used previously.
        Answer. TikTok's proprietary technologies underlying its
    recommendation system and special effects models are different from the
    technologies that are licensed through BytePlus.

        Question 16. Of the technologies ByteDance is licensing through
    BytePlus, which of them are technologies developed, wholly or
    partially, by TikTok? Please specify the technology being licensed
    through BytePlus, and what role TikTok played in the development of
    that technology.
        Answer. TikTok's proprietary technologies underlying its
    recommendation system and special effects models are different from the
    technologies that are licensed through BytePlus.
                                     ______

          Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Mike Lee to
                               Michael Beckerman
        Question 1. Mr. Beckerman, one of the main draws to TikTok is its
    fast paced, short videos and its ``For You'' page that suggests videos
    to its users. The WSJ published a recent article detailing how the
    ``For You'' page can send teens down rabbit holes full of explicit
    content, including sexual violence and drugs, even if they have only
    searched for explicit content once on the platform.
        What changes, if any, have been made to the algorithm that controls
    the ``For You'' page since these findings?
        Answer. At TikTok, safety and wellness--in particular for children
    and teens on our platform--is our priority. This has been the case long
    before the WSJ article. For children under 13 years old, TikTok offers
    TikTok for Younger Users, which is a limited experience where under 13
    users can watch a curated library of safe and age-appropriate videos.
    With respect to teens, we work hard to provide families with the tools
    and features to make the content decisions that are right for them.
        While we believe the WSJ study's use of bots to artificially create
    a simulated TikTok experience does not represent true user behavior or
    experience, we nevertheless take the issues raised in the WSJ article
    very seriously and are actively exploring ways, including development
    of new automated models, to address such issues with respect to our
    younger users.
        To learn more about TikTok's recommendation system, please see our
    Newsroom post for additional details: https://newsroom.tiktok.com/en-
    us/how-tiktok-recom
    mends-videos-for-you.

        Question 2. How do you reconcile content that is typically banned
    by your platform being recommended to teens regularly through your
    algorithm?
        Answer. TikTok disagrees with the characterization that it
    regularly recommends to teens content that is typically banned.
        TikTok's Community Guidelines define a set of norms and common code
    of conduct; they provide guidance on what is and is not allowed on
    TikTok in order to help create a welcoming and safe space for everyone.
    We publish quarterly Community Guideline Enforcement Reports that
    demonstrate that of all the content that users upload to TikTok, less
    than 1 percent of videos uploaded was found to violate the Community
    Guidelines. Additionally, of those videos, 93 percent were identified
    and removed within 24 hours of being posted.

        Question 3. Does your platform permit ``interest'' specific ads to
    be targeted to children?
        Answer. There are no ads in TikTok for Younger Users, which is a
    limited experience where under 13 users can watch videos curated for
    safety and age-appropriateness.

        Question 4. What interest related data does your platform collect
    from children's profiles?
        Answer. It is unclear what is meant by ``interest related data.''
    TikTok for Younger Users collects a very limited set of data, including
    but not limited to ``likes'' and browsing history.

        Question 5. Does your platform collect data on children that is for
    adult products--tobacco, alcohol, recreational drug use--or for
    sexually suggestive ads?
        Answer. There are no ads in the TikTok for Younger Users
    experience. We note that TikTok's Ads Policies applicable to the U.S.
    platform prohibit ads for tobacco, alcohol, and recreational drug use,
    as well as sexually suggestive ads.
                                     ______

     Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Richard Blumenthal to
                                 Leslie Miller
        Preventing Child Sexual Exploitation and Grooming. According to the
    National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 2020 was
    record-breaking for reports of child sexual exploitation, and this year
    has already exceeded that number of reports. In November 2019, I led a
    bipartisan letter to you and other tech companies about what you are
    doing to stop child sexual exploitation.

        Question 1. What technologies do you have in place to automatically
    monitor for the grooming and enticement of children and report these
    crimes swiftly? If none, please explain why not.

        Question 2. What technologies do you have in place to detect and
    stop predators from inducing children to send explicit images, videos,
    or live-streams of themselves? If none, please explain why not.
        Answer. Because the answers to these questions are related, we have
    grouped together our response to Questions Nos. 1 and 2.
        YouTube's Approach. YouTube is committed to fighting online child
    sexual abuse and exploitation and preventing our services from being
    used to spread child sexual abuse material (CSAM). We invest heavily in
    fighting child sexual abuse and exploitation online and use our
    proprietary technology to deter, detect, remove, and report offenses on
    our platforms. We proactively detect and report illegal child sexual
    abuse material to the National Center for Missing and Exploited
    Children (NCMEC), and our Trust & Safety team works 24 hours a day to
    quickly respond to any child safety incident. We may terminate the
    accounts of those who are seeking to sexualize or exploit minors, and
    we report offenses involving CSAM to NCMEC, which liaises with global
    law enforcement agencies.
        We identify and report CSAM with trained specialist teams and
    cutting-edge technology, including machine learning classifiers and
    hash-matching technology, which creates a ``hash'', or unique digital
    fingerprint, for an image or a video so it can be compared with hashes
    of known CSAM. In 2008, we began using these ``hashes'' to identify,
    remove, and report copies of known images. We also use our automated
    systems and human reviews to detect new CSAM and contribute new hashes
    to a hash database maintained by the NCMEC, helping to continue to grow
    the bank of hashes of known CSAM.
        In 2014, YouTube engineers created CSAI Match, world-leading
    technology that can be used to scan and identify uploaded videos that
    contain known child sexual abuse material. We make this technology
    available to other platforms and NGOs free-of-charge to help them
    identify matches against our database of known abusive content so they
    can responsibly take action on it in accordance with local laws and
    regulations. In 2018, Google engineers created the Content Safety
    Application Programming Interface (API) which helps Google and other
    businesses and organizations prioritize potential abuse content for
    review. In the first half of 2021, our partners used the Content Safety
    API to classify over 6 billion images, helping them identify
    problematic content faster and with more precision so they can report
    it to the authorities.
        In addition to our long-standing efforts to combat CSAM video, we
    have made large investments to detect and remove content which may not
    meet the legal definition of CSAM, but where minors are still being
    sexualized or exploited. We have always had clear policies against
    videos, playlists, thumbnails and comments that sexualize or exploit
    children (more information is available at https://support
    .google.com/youtube/answer/2801999). We use machine learning systems to
    proactively detect violations of these policies and have human
    reviewers around the world who quickly remove violations detected by
    our systems or flagged by users and our trusted flaggers. Our machine
    learning systems help to proactively identify videos that may put
    minors at risk and apply our protections at scale, such as restricting
    live features, disabling comments, and limiting video recommendations.
    Identifying and removing videos more quickly--often before they have
    even been viewed--means children who are being sexually abused today
    are more likely to be identified and protected from further abuse.

        Critical Partnership with NCMEC. YouTube reports all instances of
    CSAM on our platforms to NCMEC, who in turn may report the incident to
    law enforcement. Where there may be imminent harm to a child, our
    specialist team escalates the report to NCMEC's prioritization queue.
        We provide NCMEC with detailed information about the user accounts
    associated with the possession or distribution of CSAM. We are informed
    that inclusion of such information in our reports has been instrumental
    in allowing law enforcement to rescue children being victimized and
    ultimately bring those responsible to justice. When YouTube becomes
    aware of suspected grooming or the potential for hands-on abuse in
    connection with CSAM content, we include that information in a
    supplemental report to NCMEC with a high-priority status. When
    information within the report indicates that the information resolves
    to another country, NCMEC forwards the report to the appropriate law
    enforcement agency within that country.
        NCMEC maintains a database of hashes--serving as digital
    fingerprints of identified CSAM content--that is made available to
    participating service providers so that content identified on one
    platform can be swiftly removed from all platforms. Google helped NCMEC
    redesign and rebuild the CyberTipline in 2011 to make the reporting
    system easier to use and established a Google Fellowship so that NCMEC
    can update the Cybertipline and integrate it with their Child Victim ID
    program, which helps identify missing or exploited children.
        Earlier this year, building on our industry-leading transparency
    initiatives, Google launched a transparency report (available at
    https://transparencyreport
    .google.com/child-sexual-abuse-material/reporting?hl=en) specifically
    dedicated to detailing our efforts to combat online child sexual abuse
    material. From January through June 2021, these efforts included the
    submission of over 400,000 CyberTipline reports to NCMEC, involving
    over 3.4 million pieces of content. YouTube in particular contributed
    more than 124,000 CyberTipline reports and over 133,000 pieces of
    content to NCMEC.

        Collaboration with NGOs. In addition to our work with NCMEC, we
    maintain strong partnerships with NGOs and industry coalitions to help
    grow and contribute to our joint understanding of the evolving nature
    of child sexual abuse and exploitation. For example, we are a leading
    member of the Technology Coalition (available at https://
    www.technologycoalitio n.org/), where child safety experts across the
    industry build capacity and help companies working to increase their
    capacity to detect CSAM. The Tech Coalition announced research grants
    for five world-leading institutions (more information is available at
    https://www.end-violence.org/tech-coalition-safe-online-research-
    fund#grantees) who are working on actionable research including, for
    example, how to more detect online grooming. This is part of Project
    Protect--a cross-industry initiative to combat CSAM through investment,
    research, and information sharing (more information is available at
    https://www.technology
    coalition.org/2020/05/28/a-plan-to-combat-online-child-sexual-abuse/).

        Question 3. Do you have specific mechanisms for users to report
    child sexual exploitation? If so, please elaborate on them; if not,
    please explain why not.
        Answer. We want to protect children using our products from
    experiencing grooming, sextortion, trafficking and other forms of child
    sexual exploitation. In addition to the steps we take detailed in the
    answer above, we provide useful information to help users report child
    sexual abuse material to the relevant authorities. Users can flag
    inappropriate content on YouTube (available at https://
    support.google.com/youtube/answer/
    2802027#report_channel&zippy=%2Creport-a-channel) if they discover
    content that may depict a child in danger or an abusive situation, by:

       Flagging the video: Report videos that contain inappropriate
            content involving minors by flagging the video for `Child
            Abuse'; and

       Filing an abuse report: If a user has found multiple videos,
            comments, or a user's entire account that warrants reporting,
            the user should visit the reporting tool to submit a more
            detailed complaint.

        We also provide information in our YouTube Community Guidelines
    (available at https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2801999) and
    Google Safety Center (available at https://safety.google/families/) on
    how to deal with concerns about bullying and harassment, including
    information on how to block users from contacting a child. Google's
    Help Center (available at https://protectingchildren.google/
    howtoreport/) also provides additional information for users on
    reporting and support for children who may be being abused, including
    contact information for the National Center for Missing and Exploited
    Children (NCMEC) and other helpful resources. Google's Protecting
    Children Site (available at https://protectingchildren
    .google/#fighting-abuse-on-our-own-platform-and-services) also provides
    information on how users can report inappropriate behavior towards
    children, including grooming and other forms of child sexual
    exploitation.

        Question 4. Do you include IP addresses in all reports to NCMEC? If
    not, please explain why not.
        Answer. When we identify CSAM on our platforms, we make a
    ``CyberTipline'' report to NCMEC, as described in detail in the
    responses above. A single report may contain one or more pieces of
    content depending on the circumstances. This content could include, for
    example, images, videos, URL links, and/or text soliciting CSAM.
        The reports sent to NCMEC may include information identifying the
    user, the minor victim, and/or other helpful contextual facts. We
    include both IP login information for the account and upload IP of the
    CSAM content if available in our reports to NCMEC.

        Question 5. Please provide your policies and protocols on how you
    respond to law enforcement when they reach out for information relating
    to child sexual exploitation reports.
        Answer. As noted above, we proactively look for and report illegal
    child sexual abuse material to the National Center for Missing and
    Exploited Children. Where there may be imminent harm to a child, our
    specialist team escalates the report to NCMEC's prioritization queue.
    From January through June 2021, these efforts included the submission
    of over 400,000 reports to NCMEC, involving over 3.4 million pieces of
    content.
        Once a report is received by NCMEC, they may forward it to law
    enforcement agencies around the world. Law enforcement may then send
    legal process to YouTube seeking further information. In order to
    facilitate such requests, Google provides an online system that allows
    verified government agencies to securely submit valid requests for
    further information. These agencies can then view the status of
    submitted requests using this online system, and, ultimately, download
    Google's response to their request.
        We have a robust law enforcement response process with analysts and
    lawyers dedicated to ensuring that we appropriately respond to valid
    legal processes from law enforcement and make referrals to law
    enforcement when we identify problematic or illegal activity on our
    platform, including that relating to child safety. A law enforcement
    agency may ask YouTube to preserve specific information while the
    agency applies for valid legal process to compel the disclosure of that
    information. We have a dedicated team that responds to these requests,
    and in cases of emergencies, a team that works around the clock, every
    day of the year.
        We describe our work and protocols concerning cooperation with law
    enforcement in our policies (available at https://policies.google.com/
    terms/information-requests) and our publicly available Transparency
    Reports (available at https://transparency
    report.google.com/).

        Advertising to Children and Teens. Your policies for advertisers on
    supervised accounts and child-directed content state ``personalized
    ads, remarketing, and other personalized targeting features are
    prohibited on YouTube,'' and you testified that YouTube does not serve
    personalized ads or engage in personalized advertising in YouTube Kids
    and YouTube supervised experiences. However, YouTube does still allow
    advertising to teenage users and on child-directed content--and holds
    an extraordinary amount of information about those users. YouTube could
    itself target ads to users it believes are more likely to click on the
    ad, even if it doesn't allow advertisers to target certain audiences:
    for example, it could target a product to a teen because it thinks a
    teen of a certain gender or with certain interests is more likely to
    view the ad.

        Question 6. Does YouTube itself do any targeting of advertising to
    teens or on child-directed content based on personal information? If
    so, please explain.

        Question 7. Please list the factors that YouTube does consider for
    such targeting of advertising to teens and on child-directed content.
        Answer. Because the answers to these questions are related, we have
    grouped together our response to Questions Nos. 6 and 7.
        At the outset, we want to note that in August 2021, we announced
    that we'll be expanding safeguards to prevent age-sensitive ad
    categories from being shown to teens, and that we will block ad
    targeting based on the age, gender, or interests of people under 18.
    We'll start rolling out these updates across our products globally over
    the coming months (more information is available at https://
    blog.google/technology/families/giving-kids-and-teens-safer-experience-
    online/). This builds upon our existing prohibitions on personalized
    advertising for on YouTube Kids, within YouTube Supervised Experiences,
    and for users watching ``Made for Kids'' content on our YouTube
    service.
        To provide greater information on advertising, we initially adopted
    an advertising-supported model because we wanted YouTube services to be
    available free of charge and accessible to all families, irrespective
    of their ability to pay. YouTube Kids provides guidance for third-party
    experts to create collections or works with influential individuals to
    provide content that supports academic or social-emotional learning.
    The educational and enriching content that results from such
    collaborations is expansive and diverse.
        Creators are often small businesses who rely on ad revenue to
    invest in development of quality content; they receive a majority share
    of the advertising revenue. We are committed to fostering an
    appropriate viewing environment for children and families, and ensuring
    compliance with all applicable regulations and privacy commitments
    concerning ads and children. On YouTube Kids, within YouTube Supervised
    Experiences, and for users watching ``Made for Kids'' content on our
    YouTube service, we prohibit personalized advertising. In addition, for
    all users we prohibit ads with remarketing or other third-party
    tracking pixels from being shown to users on YouTube Kids, YouTube
    supervised accounts, and on ``Made for Kids'' content.
        Only contextual ads are eligible to serve to users on YouTube Kids,
    YouTube supervised accounts, and on ``Made for Kids'' content.
    Contextual advertising is based on the content of the underlying video
    that is being watched, whereas personalized advertising makes use of,
    for example, an individual user's previous activity or demographic
    information in order to provide tailored ads.
        We want to support a healthy digital advertising ecosystem--one
    that is trustworthy and transparent, and works for users, advertisers,
    and publishers. Our Google Ads Policies are designed not only to abide
    by laws but to ensure a safe and positive experience for our users. We
    take strong enforcement action against advertising content that
    violates our policies for all of our users. We use a combination of
    manual and automated review to detect and remove ads that violate our
    policies. Our ads policies (available at https://support.google.com/
    adspolicy/answer/60089
    42?hl=en) cover four broad areas including prohibited content,
    prohibited practices, restricted content and features, and editorial
    and technical standards. These policies also prohibit advertising that
    includes content that promotes dangerous products or services, enables
    dishonest behavior, and includes inappropriate content like bullying,
    intimidation, and self harm.
        Further, to foster an appropriate viewing environment for children
    and families, all ads shown on YouTube Kids, against ``Made for Kids''
    content, or to a user in our new supervised experience must comply with
    our kids advertising policies (available at https://support.google.com/
    adspolicy/answer/9683742) and YouTube's general advertising policies
    (available at https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/
    188570?topic=30084&ctx=topic). Under these policies, we prohibit paid
    ads that contain adult, dangerous, sexualized, or violent content. Our
    advertising policies also prohibit contests and sweepstakes, ads that
    mislead or make deceptive claims, ads that imply social status, and ads
    that refer to social media campaigns or websites. Ads that incite
    children to make a purchase, or urge their parents to buy the item are
    also prohibited. Ads for certain product categories are also
    prohibited, including: (i) regulated products, including alcohol,
    gambling, and pharmaceutical/healthcare as well as other products that
    may be dangerous to kids, such as fireworks or instructions to make
    harmful products; (ii) sensitive products that may be inappropriate for
    kids, such as those relating to dating, politics, and religion; and
    (iii) products that we have determined may not be appropriate for young
    audiences, including age-sensitive media content, beauty and fitness,
    dating and relationships, online or virtual communities, political ads,
    religious ads, and video games.
        Across Google as a whole, our enforcement measures have allowed us
    to take down 3.1 billion ads worldwide for violating our ads policies
    in 2020--that's the removal of more than 5,900 bad ads per minute. We
    annually publish our ads safety report (available at https://
    services.google.com/fh/files/misc/ads_safety_report_
    2020.pdf; see also this blog at https://blog.google/products/ads-
    commerce/ads-safety-report-2020/), explaining enforcement actions we
    took against illegal and harmful advertising to protect users.

        Question 8. Some creators, like influencers, make videos to push
    certain products to their users without employing traditional
    advertising mechanisms. You mentioned a set of ``quality principles''
    to regulate the content in YouTube Kids. Please list these principles
    and elaborate on the types of commercial content that are and are not
    in violation of these principles.
        Answer. YouTube Kids prohibit paid ads that contain adult,
    dangerous, sexualized, or violent content. The YouTube Kids' ads policy
    also forbids contests and sweepstakes, as well as ads that mislead or
    make deceptive claims, ads that imply social status, and ads that refer
    to social media campaigns or websites. Ads that incite children to make
    a purchase, or urge their parents to buy the item, are also prohibited.
    Ads for certain product categories are also prohibited on YouTube Kids,
    including: (1) regulated products, including alcohol, gambling, and
    pharmaceutical/healthcare, as well as other products that may be
    dangerous to kids, such as reworks or instructions on how to make
    harmful products; (2) sensitive products that may be inappropriate for
    kids, such as those relating to dating, politics, and religion; and (3)
    products that we have determined may not be appropriate for young
    audiences, including age-sensitive media content, beauty and fitness,
    relationships, online or virtual communities, political ads, religious
    ads, and video games.
        YouTube's quality principles (available at https://
    support.google.com/youtube/answer/1077 4223) for children and family
    content are designed to help guide YouTube's kids and family creator
    ecosystem. These principles were developed in collaboration with child
    development specialists, and are based on extensive research on
    children's media, digital learning, and citizenship. They are meant to
    give our creators a better idea of what may be considered low or high
    quality content, but the lists are not exhaustive. Additionally, these
    principles supplement our Community Guidelines (available at https://
    www.youtube.com/howyoutube works/policies/community-guidelines/
    #community-guidelines), which help provide a safe viewing experience
    for our users. Our creators are still responsible for following our
    Community Guidelines concerning any content they create. For ease of
    reference, our quality principles are as follows:
    High quality principles
        Age-appropriate, enriching, engaging, and inspiring content can
    come in different formats and cover a range of topics, but it should
    promote:

       Being a good person: This includes content that demonstrates
            or encourages respect, good behavior, and healthy habits.
            Examples include content about sharing, being a good friend,
            brushing teeth, eating vegetables, and setting digital
            wellbeing goals.

       Learning and inspiring curiosity: This includes content that
            promotes critical thinking, discussing connected ideas, and the
            discovery and exploration of the world. Content should be age
            appropriate and designed for a young audience. It can also span
            traditional to non-traditional learning (e.g., academics,
            informal learning, interest-based exploration, tutorials).

       Creativity, play, and a sense of imagination: This includes
            content that is thought-provoking or imaginative. It may also
            encourage kids to create, make, and engage with something in a
            meaningful and novel way. Examples include creating imaginary
            worlds, storytelling, soccer tricks, sing-alongs, and creative
            activities like art and crafts.

       Interaction with real world issues: This includes content
            that depicts life lessons and strong characters, or encourages
            building social-emotional skills, problem solving, and
            independent thinking. It often includes a complete narrative
            (e.g., character development, plot, resolution) and clear
            takeaway or lesson.

       Diversity, equity, and inclusion: This content celebrates
            and encourages representation and participation of diverse
            perspectives and groups of people. This includes content
            representing a range of ages, genders, races, religions, and
            sexual orientations. It also advocates for equal treatment of
            those differences. Examples include content that discusses the
            benefits of diversity and inclusion, or depicts stories/
            characters where these themes are demonstrated.

        These principles help determine inclusion in YouTube Kids and how
    recommendations work in the main YouTube experience. On YouTube Kids,
    we identify and include videos and channels that are age-appropriate
    and adhere to the quality principles referenced above. We also use
    these principles to determine which high-quality content we raise up in
    our recommendations on YouTube. This means that when a user is watching
    ``Made for Kids'' content on YouTube, we aim to recommend videos that
    are age-appropriate, educational, and inspire creativity and
    imagination.
    Low quality principles
        We inform creators to avoid making low quality content. This
    includes content that is:

       Heavily commercial or promotional: Content that is primarily
            focused on purchasing products or promoting brands and logos
            (e.g., toys and food). It also includes content that is focused
            on excessive consumerism.

       Encouraging negative behaviors or attitudes: Content that
            encourages dangerous activities, wastefulness, bullying,
            dishonesty, or a lack of respect for others (e.g., dangerous/
            unsafe pranks, unhealthy eating habits).

       Deceptively educational: Content that claims to have
            educational value in its title or thumbnail, but actually lacks
            guidance or explanation, or is not relevant to children (e.g.,
            titles or thumbnails that promise to help viewers ``learn
            colors'' or ``learn numbers,'' but instead features mindless
            repetitive content or inaccurate information).

       Hindering comprehension: Content that is thoughtless, lacks
            a cohesive narrative, is incomprehensible (e.g., has shaky
            visuals/inaudible audio), as is often the result of mass
            production or auto-generation.

       Sensational or misleading: Content that is untrue,
            exaggerated, bizarre, or opinion-based, and may confuse a young
            audience. It might also include ``keyword stuffing'', or the
            practice of using popular keywords of interest to children in a
            repetitive, altered, exaggerated, or nonsensical way.

       Strange use of children's characters: Content that puts
            popular children's characters (animated or live action) in
            objectionable situations.

        We use these principles to reduce kids content that is low-quality
    (but that doesn't violate our Community Guidelines, available at
    https://support.google.com/youtube
    /answer/9288567) in our recommendations on YouTube, and remove channels
    from YouTube Kids. Examples of this content include videos that are
    heavily commercial or promotional, encourage negative behaviors or
    attitudes, and more. Our efforts are ongoing and we regularly
    reevaluate and update these principles.
        We recently shared additional monetization policies (available at
    https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/1311392#kids-quality)--which
    align with the quality principles discussed above (and that are
    available at https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/10774223)--for
    channels that primarily create kids and family content on YouTube.
    Going forward, these principles will have not only an impact on
    recommendations and inclusion in YouTube Kids, but also on
    monetization.
        Channels that primarily target young audiences or are classified as
    ``Made for Kids'' will need to deliver high-quality content and comply
    with kids-specific monetization policies. For example, channels that
    have predominantly low-quality kids content, such as ``Heavily
    commercial or promotional'' or ``Encouraging negative behaviors or
    attitudes'', may be suspended from the YouTube Partner Program. And if
    an individual video violates these quality principles, it may see
    limited or no ads.
        For more information about our quality principles, please see the
    guide available at https://storage.googleapis.com/support-kms-prod/
    kLTcocWcVNdo4YWcM9pHbLr
    XBKxtXaLrN2Wb.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to
                                 Leslie Miller
        Preventing Unfair Competition. Streaming provider Roku says YouTube
    has made unfair demands in negotiations for carrying the YouTube TV app
    on Roku, including demanding Roku give preference to YouTube over other
    content providers in its search results and give YouTube access to non-
    public data from Roku's users. \1\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \1\ https://www.roku.com/blog/update-on-youtube-tv

        Question. Did YouTube ask for non-public data or preferencing in
    search results at any point in negotiations with Roku or any other
    provider?
        Answer. Our negotiations with Roku began earlier this year and we
    continue to work with them to find a resolution that benefits our
    mutual users. While we negotiate in good faith, we are providing Roku
    the ability to continue distributing both YouTube and YouTube TV apps
    to all existing users to make sure they are not impacted. We hope to
    resolve open commercial matters by the December 9, 2021 deadline.
        Our agreements to distribute YouTube include a certification
    process in which new devices need to meet our technical requirements.
    This process exists to provide a consistent and high-quality YouTube
    experience for users across different devices.
        For distribution partners like Roku whose devices provide users
    with a universal search experience that aggregates results across
    multiple content providers, YouTube requires that search results from
    YouTube are included among the results from other content providers.
    This is because most living room users might know what they want to
    watch but not where they can or should watch it. Therefore we ask to be
    included as part of the search results. Partners have complete control
    on where to display the YouTube search results. Other content providers
    have similar requirements.
        What is different about YouTube--in contrast to other content
    providers--is that we have an incredibly expansive content library with
    500 hours uploaded every minute. YouTube makes a public Application
    Programming Interface (API) available so that all partners, including
    Roku, can query that API when a user issues a search query. For
    distribution partners who don't have a universal search feature, we do
    not require them to display YouTube search results.

        Social Media and Eating Disorders. Studies have found that eating
    disorders have one of the highest mortality rates of any mental
    illness.\2\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \2\ https://anad.org/get-informed/about-eating-disorders-
    statistics/

        Question. Has YouTube conducted any research about how its apps may
    push content promoting eating disorders to teens? If so, please provide
    those studies.
        Answer. YouTube doesn't permit content that glorifies eating
    disorders or encourages serious harm or death. And in fact, the first
    things you will see if you search on YouTube for issues related to
    suicide or eating disorders are prominent crisis resource panels boxes
    showing where to get help, such as the National Suicide Prevention
    Lifeline. Further, earlier this year we introduced new health source
    information panels on videos to help viewers identify videos from
    authoritative sources, as well as adding health content shelves that
    more effectively highlight videos from these sources when a user
    searches for specific health topics, including topics like depression.
    For more information on these panels, please see https://blog.youtube/
    news-and-events/introducing-new-ways-help-you-find-answers-your-health-
    questions/.
        We have launched a number of programs to support children's mental
    health throughout 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic including a meditation
    series (available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9nE4RE8uiQ)
    exclusively found on YouTube and YouTube Kids in partnership with
    Sesame St. and Headspace. We also recently partnered with experts
    including Mass General Brigham, National Alliance on Mental Illness,
    and the WHO to expand high quality content on topics such as
    depression, anxiety, substance use and recovery (more information is
    available at https://www.youtube.com/
    playlist?list=PLbpi6ZahtOH4MCLZywkbRXiHQ
    4T40RrAD).

        Advertising and Teenagers. YouTube earns revenue from showing ads.

        Question 1. Please provide copies of the 100 most popular ads, in
    terms of viewership, among all users on your platform in the last year.
        Answer. We are unable to provide the information requested at this
    time.

        Question 2. Please also provide copies of the 100 most popular ads,
    in terms of viewership, among teenagers on your platform in the last
    year.
        Answer. Similar to Question 1, above, we are unable to provide the
    information requested at this time.

        Question 3. YouTube reported that its advertising revenue overall
    in the second quarter of 2021 was $7 billion.\3\ How much of YouTube's
    U.S. revenue came from users under the age of 18?
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \3\ https://abc.xyz/investor/static/pdf/
    2021Q2_alphabet_earnings_release.pdf
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Answer. YouTube does not calculate or report revenue on a per-user
    basis, nor demographic including age group.

        Algorithms for Content Moderation. Frances Haugen disclosed that
    Facebook has been misleading the public about how well it can detect
    and remove harmful content.\4\ Facebook's internal documents estimated
    that their automated systems removed less than one percent of
    prohibited violent content.'' \5\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \4\ https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-ai-enforce-rules-
    engineers-doubtful-artificial-intelligence-11634338184
        \5\ https://www.wsj.com/articles/facebook-ai-enforce-rules-
    engineers-doubtful-artificial-intelligence-11634338184

        Question. Has YouTube collected any data about how often YouTube's
    automated content detection systems failed to capture content on
    YouTube that violates the company's terms of service in the last 18
    months? If so, please provide that data.
        Answer. We publish a quarterly Community Guidelines Enforcement
    report (available at https://transparencyreport.google.com/youtube-
    policy/removals?hl=en). This report includes data on video, channel,
    and comment removals; appeals and reinstatements; human and machine
    flagging; and key topics including child safety. This year, we started
    releasing a new data point in our Community Guidelines Enforcement
    Report to provide even more transparency around the effectiveness of
    our systems: the Violative View Rate (VVR). That metric, which we now
    give quarterly, tells the world the percentage of views on YouTube that
    comes from content that violates our policies. We want to be open about
    that number and held accountable for driving it down.
        In Q3 2021 alone, for example, we removed 6.2 million videos for
    violating our Community Guidelines. Approximately 72 percent of those
    first flagged by our systems received 10 or fewer views and
    approximately 95 percent were detected by our automated flagging
    system. In Q3 2021, the Violative View Rate was 0.09-0.11 percent (out
    of every 10K views on YouTube, only 9-11 come from violative content).
        The VVR metric demonstrates that YouTube has invested significantly
    in our automated detection systems to identify violative content and
    our engineering teams continue to update and improve them month by
    month. We're constantly innovating to improve our machine learning and
    algorithms to identify content in violation of our policies. Among
    other AI principles, we believe AI should be socially beneficial, avoid
    creating or reinforcing unfair bias, and be accountable to people. We
    continue to be one of the leading companies investing heavily in
    responsible AI and implementation.

        Children on Social Media. YouTube allows kids under 13 in the
    United States to use YouTube through YouTube Kids.\6\
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \6\ See https://support.google.com/youtubekids/answer/
    7554914?hl=en&ref_topic=7554316#zip
    py=%2Cfirst-time-using-youtube-kids

        Question. How many under 13 accounts has the company removed from
    YouTube--not YouTube Kids--in the last year?
        Answer. Kids under 13 are not allowed to use YouTube, unless such
    use is enabled by a parent or legal guardian. When a user provides age
    information while creating a Google account, YouTube has access to that
    declared age information. We work hard to verify the ages of our users,
    requiring date of birth at sign-up and utilizing various signals in our
    network to confirm it.
        YouTube also employs machine learning to identify signals on
    YouTube channels that may indicate that the account operating the
    channel may be owned by users under 13. We rely on signals to find
    these channels, and then flag for a team to review more closely and/or
    terminate the accounts when they appear owned by an underage user.
        In the first three quarters of 2021, we terminated more than 7
    million accounts when we learned they belonged to people under 13, with
    3 million accounts terminated in Q3 2021 alone.

        Children's Privacy Online. In September 2019, the FTC settled with
    Google and YouTube for $170 million after YouTube allegedly collected
    children's data without their parents' consent so that it could show
    them targeted ads.\7\ I'm still concerned YouTube is showing targeted
    ads to kids and teens.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \7\ https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/09/google-
    youtube-will-pay-record-170-million-alleged-violations

        Question. Do you ever use data collected on users who are not
    logged in for targeted advertising? If so, how can you be sure that
    none of those users are under 13?
        Answer. YouTube has invested significant resources to meet our
    obligations under our settlement with the FTC. As part of our
    compliance solution, we require all creators to tell us whether or not
    their videos are ``Made for Kids.'' To help creators comply with this
    requirement, we allow creators to set their audience at the channel
    level, which will set all of their future and existing content as
    ``Made for Kids'' or not, or at the video level. We provide guidance to
    assist YouTube creators determine what content is ``Made for Kids'' in
    our help center (available at https://support.google.com/youtube/
    answer/9528076?hl=en#zippy=%2Chow-do-i-know-if-i-should-set-my-content-
    as-made-for-kids) and include information released by the FTC
    (available at https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/blogs/business-blog/2019/
    11/youtube-channel-owners-your-content-directed-children). For example,
    we state that if a video includes actors, characters, activities,
    games, songs, stories, or other subject matter that reflect an intent
    to target children, it's likely made for kids. We provide clear
    communication to creators that a failure to set their content
    appropriately may result in consequences on YouTube and have legal
    consequences under COPPA and other laws.
        When a creator's content is set as ``Made for Kids'' we limit data
    collection and use from every viewer of such content, regardless of
    whether they are logged in or not. This means we don't serve
    personalized ads on ``Made for Kids'' content. This also means we
    restrict or disable certain features like comments, notifications, and
    others. If a video or live stream is set as ``Made for Kids'' we
    disable features like autoplay on home, live chat, comments, save to
    playlist, channel memberships, amongst other features. Further, if a
    channel is set as ``Made for Kids''--in addition to the features that
    are disabled as a result of a video being identified as ``Made for
    Kids''--a creator's channel also won't have posts, stories, channel
    memberships, or the notification bell.
        While we require creators to tell us whether or not their videos
    are ``Made for Kids,'' we also use machine learning to help us identify
    videos that are clearly directed to young audiences. In cases of abuse
    or in which the creator has made an error we may override a creator's
    audience setting. If a creator has already set an audience for their
    video and YouTube detects error or abuse, the creator may see their
    video set as ``Set to made for Kids.'' When this happens, the creator
    isn't able to change their audience setting. If a creator believes a
    mistake has been made they can appeal the decision.
        We have also taken significant additional measures that go beyond
    what is required under our settlement. For example, for many years we
    have continued to invest in helping creators understand how to make
    enriching, engaging and inspiring videos for kids and families. We
    recently announced our work to implement products and policies that
    help us connect families with high-quality content on YouTube and
    YouTube Kids (more information is available at https://blog.youtube/
    news-and-events/our-responsibility-approach-protecting-kids-and-
    families-youtube/). In collaboration with child development
    specialists, we established a set of quality principles (available at
    https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/10774223) to help guide our
    kids and family creator ecosystem. We use these principles to determine
    which high-quality content we raise up in our recommendations on
    YouTube. This means that when you're watching ``Made for Kids'' content
    on YouTube, we aim to recommend videos that are age-appropriate,
    educational, and inspire creativity and imagination.
        Going forward, these principles will also have an impact on
    monetization. For example, channels that primarily target young
    audiences or are classified as ``Made for Kids'' will need to deliver
    high-quality content and comply with kids-specific monetization
    policies. In addition, channels that have predominantly low-quality
    kids content, such as ``Heavily commercial or promotional'' or
    ``Encouraging negative behaviors or attitudes'', may be suspended from
    our YouTube Partner Program. And if an individual video violates these
    quality principles, it may see limited or no ads.
        As noted above, in the first three quarters of 2021, we terminated
    more than 7 million accounts when we learned they belonged to people
    under 13, with 3 million accounts terminated in Q3 2021 alone.

        Spanish Language Misinformation. In July, I led a letter with
    Senator Lujan to social media companies including YouTube about
    misinformation in Spanish. Your response raised concerns about your
    content moderation efforts in non-English languages.

        Question. In that letter, I asked how many employees or contractors
    YouTube has to moderate content in each of the top five languages
    spoken by U.S. users. You didn't answer that question.\8\ Please
    provide data on the number of content moderators you employ for the top
    five languages spoken by U.S. users.
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        \8\ https://www.lujan.senate.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/
    YouTube-Response-Lujan.pdf
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Answer. YouTube is a global platform with over 2 billion users in
    more than 100 countries speaking 80 different languages; responsibility
    is our top priority. To achieve our responsibility goals, YouTube
    removes content that violates our publicly available Community
    Guidelines. YouTube's Community Guidelines are enforced consistently
    across the globe, regardless of the language or location of where the
    content is uploaded.

        Removing violative content: To enforce our Community Guidelines, we
    use a combination of machine learning and human reviewers, and have
    made significant investments in our systems to remove content that
    violates our Community Guidelines before it is widely viewed or viewed
    at all. Last year across Google, more than 20,000 people worked in a
    variety of roles to help enforce our policies and moderate content.
    These individuals are located across the globe, and possess a diverse
    set of backgrounds, including an array of linguistic capabilities and
    varied regional contexts.
        In the first quarter of 2021, a majority of content removed from
    YouTube was from users outside of the United States. More specifically,
    of the top 30 countries with the highest number of content removed in
    Q1, 83.4 percent was removed outside of the United States. It's also
    important to note that English is not the primary language in 9 of the
    top 10 countries where the videos were removed. We disclose metrics on
    a quarterly basis in our Transparency Report (available at https://
    transparencyreport.google.com/).

        Raising up authoritative information: YouTube also strives to
    provide context and raise authoritative information before and during
    viewer engagement. This is especially important in the case of topics
    that are prone to misinformation, such as COVID-19.
        A range of information panels on video watch pages and in search
    results are a key mechanism to provide users additional context from
    authoritative sources on such topics. For example, when a user in the
    U.S. enters a query or views a video related to COVID-19, we display an
    information panel that links to the Centers for Disease Control page
    with information about the pandemic.
        In the U.S., these info panels are available in several different
    languages, including Spanish, French, and Chinese. Additionally, we
    work to prominently surface authoritative content in search results in
    a wide diversity of languages. For example, if a user searched for
    ``COVID-19 vacuna,'' they'd receive authoritative content about the
    COVID-19 vaccine in Spanish. Millions of search queries are getting
    this treatment today.
                                     ______

      Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to
                                 Leslie Miller
        Question 1. Do you get parental consent when you do research on
    kids? Can you provide a copy of a blank parental consent form, if
    applicable?
        Answer. We care deeply about how families and children use
    technology and have engaged third parties to help us understand the
    challenges faced. Over the past several years, we have put together a
    group of leading experts on kids online safety, content quality, mental
    health, trauma, and child development to help us ensure that our
    product and policy decisions are up to date with the latest research in
    those fields.
        As an example of our use of studies, in 2019, we commissioned
    Fluent Research to conduct a study (available at https://
    www.thinkwithgoogle.com/feature/digital-wellbeing-statistics/) to
    examine the role digital technology plays in the wellbeing of families
    and to help us understand how we could better support healthy tech
    habits through our products. This research was only conducted after
    individuals had explicitly provided us with their consent. This
    research, which included focus groups and survey responders in eleven
    countries, has informed our approach to product and policy design. The
    research also directly impacted our efforts to create experiences that
    help develop healthy tech habits, including the evolution of Family
    Link parental controls.
        Other examples of our use of studies include third-party research
    as to what content is beneficial to children online, what content may
    be upsetting to kids, and how young people use digital media to manage
    their mental health.

        Question 2. During the hearing, you said you never spoke out
    against online privacy legislation.
        Have you actually supported any specific bill?
        Did the Internet Association advocate against online privacy
    legislation on your behalf?
        Answer. We support comprehensive Federal privacy legislation, and
    we would welcome the opportunity to work with Congress on it. However,
    we are not waiting on Federal regulation to continue improvements to
    our privacy program. We are always working on new ways for users to
    protect their data, including by making our controls like auto-delete
    more robust and easier to use. We are also continuing to make advances
    in privacy enhancing technologies like differential privacy. Recently,
    we announced that YouTube will begin adjusting the default upload
    setting to the most private option available for teen users on YouTube
    and will also block ad targeting based on age, gender, or interests of
    users under 18.
        As lawmakers debate new rules for the internet, citizens expect
    companies to engage in legislative debate openly and in ways that fully
    account for the concerns of all of society. We know we have a
    responsibility to take this understanding into our work on Internet
    policy, and consistently strive to do so. Google is a member of the
    Internet Association, a trade association that advocates on behalf of
    over 40 Internet technology companies; the Internet Association has
    also expressed support for comprehensive Federal privacy legislation,
    as seen here: https://internetassociation.org/positions/privacy-
    security-safety/privacy/.
                                     ______

         Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Rick Scott to
                                 Leslie Miller
        Question 1. It is pretty fair to assume that a large portion of the
    growth and revenue that your platforms bring in is centered on ensuring
    a growing youth user base. To keep growing as a platform, you likely
    need new young users, which in turn requires you to target younger
    demographics in outreach. Current Federal law prohibits platforms such
    as yours from collecting data on children under 13 years old. Companies
    like YouTube paid $170 million to settle allegations by the FTC and the
    New York Attorney General for allegedly collecting personal information
    from children without their parents' consent.
        What portion of your user base in the United States is under 18-
    years old?

        Do you believe that provisions in the Children's Online Privacy
    Protection Act (COPPA), that require parental consent for collecting
    data on children under 13, should be reviewed and possibly changed to
    increase the age limit?
        Answer. YouTube has invested significant resources to meet our
    obligations under our settlement with the FTC. As part of our
    compliance solution, we require all creators to tell us whether or not
    their videos are ``Made for Kids.'' We provide clear communication to
    creators that a failure to set their content appropriately may result
    in consequences on YouTube and have legal consequences under COPPA and
    other laws. In addition to prohibiting personalized ads on YouTube
    Kids, on our main platform, content that is made for kids does not run
    personalized ads and has certain features disabled, like comments and
    notifications.
        YouTube also employs machine learning to identify signals on
    YouTube channels that indicate that the account operating the channel
    may be owned by users under 13. We rely on signals to find these
    channels, and then flag for a team to review more closely and/or
    terminate the accounts when they appear owned by an underage user. In
    the first three quarters of 2021, we terminated more than 7 million
    accounts when we learned they belonged to people under 13, with 3
    million accounts terminated in Q3 2021 alone.
        There are many legitimate reasons that 13-16 year olds should be
    able to access services to exercise age-appropriate rights to
    expression and access to information. We're committed to constantly
    making these services safer for teens, including expanding our age-
    restrictions so that users coming to YouTube must be signed-in and
    their account age must be 18 or older in order to view mature content.
    If they aren't, they see a warning and are redirected to find other
    content that is age-appropriate. Our Community Guidelines (available at
    https://www.youtube.com/howyoutube
    works/policies/community-guidelines/) include guidance to uploaders
    about when content should be age-restricted. Recently we announced
    further changes to Google Accounts for people under 18 (more
    information is available at https://blog.google/technology/families/
    giving-kids-and-teens-safer-experience-online/). For example, on
    YouTube we are changing the default upload setting to the most private
    option available for teens ages 13-17. We also are turning location
    history, a Google account setting, off for users under the age of 18
    (without the ability to turn it on). Finally, as referenced above we
    are expanding safeguards to prevent age-sensitive ad categories from
    being shown to teens, and we will block ad targeting based on the age,
    gender, or interests of people under 18.
                                     ______

       Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Cynthia Lummis to
                                 Leslie Miller
        Question 1. Has your business conducted internal research, or
    contracted or collaborated with external entities to perform research
    examining, or which has revealed, various harms that can result from
    using your platform generally, or specifically as it relates to its use
    by minors? This harm definition should include deleterious effects to a
    user's social, mental, or physical well-being. If so, will you commit
    to sharing that research with Members of Congress and/or appropriate
    outside professionals?
        Answer. We care deeply about how families and children use
    technology and have engaged third parties to help us understand the
    challenges faced. Over the past several years, we have put together a
    group of leading experts on kids online safety, content quality, mental
    health, trauma, and child development to help us ensure that our
    product and policy decisions are up to date with the latest research in
    those fields.
        As an example of our use of studies, in 2019, we commissioned
    Fluent Research to conduct a study to examine the role digital
    technology plays in the wellbeing of families and to help us understand
    how we could better support healthy tech habits through our products
    (more information on the study is available at https://www
    .thinkwithgoogle.com/feature/digital-wellbeing-statistics/). This
    research, which included focus groups and survey responders in eleven
    countries, has informed our approach to product and policy design. The
    research directly impacted our efforts to create experiences that help
    develop healthy tech habits, including the evolution of Family Link
    parental controls.
        Other examples of our use of studies include third-party research
    as to what content is beneficial to children online, what content may
    be upsetting to kids, and how young people use digital media to manage
    their mental health. We have also seen recent studies--from Pew
    Research (available at https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2018/05/31/
    teens-social-media-technology-2018/) and Common Sense Media (available
    at https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/coping-with-covid19-how-
    young-people-use-digital-media-to-manage-their-mental-health)--that
    have highlighted that digital media use can help teens communicate with
    peers and family, seek helpful resources if they are experiencing
    distress, and find opportunities for learning and entertainment that
    can help combat isolation.
        We also recognize that protecting children from abuse is a mission
    that no one company, industry, or part of society can accomplish alone.
    We also partner with others through the Technology Coalition (available
    at https://www.techno
    logycoalition.org/)--an organization made up of 24 members representing
    different parts of the industry. Through the Technology Coalition we
    work with stakeholders around the world to help advance cutting-edge
    research, technology innovation, and sharing of knowledge and best
    practice on how to prevent, detect and report child sexual abuse and
    exploitation. The Tech Coalition recently announced the funding of five
    global research projects to help increase our understanding and
    awareness of how to use artificial intelligence to combat child sexual
    exploitation at scale (more information is available at https://
    www.technologycoalition.org/2021/09/23/tech-coalition-safe-online-
    research-fund-announces-awardees/).

        Question 2. You stated in your testimony that length of engagement,
    or some variation of it, was one of many metrics that your company uses
    to measure your company's success. This necessarily implies the
    existence of other metrics that your company uses to define success.
    Please identify all of those specific metrics, how the specific metric
    is calculated and tracked on the platform, and how they might align
    with or relate to your company's specific mission.
        Answer. YouTube's platforms are designed to allow users to search
    and discover all types of content and have an enjoyable experience. In
    response to your specific question, I stated that we look at various
    types of data points to inform us about whether a user is enjoying a
    piece of content, including if a video is watched through its entirety.
    To be clear, a user's watchtime is not used as a metric to define
    corporate success. In 2012, we incorporated watchtime into our
    recommendations systems (additional information available at https://
    blog.youtube/inside-youtube/on-youtubes-recommendation-system/) to help
    people find the videos they want to watch and that will give them
    value. Recommendations play a pivotal role across our entire community,
    introducing viewers to content they love and helping creators connect
    with new audiences. Recommendations also play an important role in how
    we maintain a responsible platform connecting viewers to high quality
    information and minimizing the chances they'll see problematic content.
                                     ______

         Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Thune to
                                 Leslie Miller
        Question 1. What percentage of YouTube video views in the United
    States and worldwide are the result of an algorithm'' used by YouTube
    suggesting or playing another video after the user finishes watching a
    video? Are the algorithms used by YouTube designed to display content
    that seeks to optimize user engagement?
        Answer. Our recommendation system is built on the simple principle
    of helping people find the videos they want to watch and that will give
    them value. Users come to YouTube for video content that will help them
    learn something, be entertained, listen to music, or get the latest
    from a favorite creator. Our users get exposure to a wide diversity of
    content, andour recommendations system helps users discover this new
    and diverse content. When our recommendations are at their best, they
    connect billions of people around the world to content that uniquely
    inspires, teaches, and entertains.
        The success of YouTube's recommendations depends on accurately
    predicting the videos viewers want to watch. Today, recommendations do
    drive a majority of the overall watchtime on YouTube, but the precise
    percentage of watchtime that comes from recommendations fluctuates.
        Our system doesn't follow a set formula, but develops dynamically
    as user viewing habits change. A number of signals build on each other
    to help inform our system about what users find satisfying: clicks,
    watchtime, survey responses, sharing, likes, and dislikes. We also know
    not everyone wants to always share this information with us. So we've
    built controls that help users decide how much data they want to
    provide. Users can pause, edit, or delete their YouTube search and
    watch history whenever they want.
        Over the years, a growing number of viewers have also started to
    come to YouTube for news and information. Recommendations also play an
    important role in how we maintain a responsible platform. We have built
    our systems to connect viewers to high-quality information and minimize
    the chances they'll see problematic content. And they complement the
    work done by our robust Community Guidelines that define what is and
    isn't allowed on YouTube. For example, we know that consumption of
    borderline content as a result of recommendations is significantly
    below 1 percent, and our goal is to have views of borderline content
    from recommendations below 0.5 percent of overall views on YouTube. You
    can learn more about our YouTube's recommendations system at https://
    blog.youtube/inside-youtube/on-youtubes-recommendation-system/.
        Recommendations also help us connect viewers watching ``Made for
    Kids'' content to videos that are age-appropriate, educational, and
    inspire creativity and imagination, in line with our quality principles
    for kids and family content. More information about the set of quality
    principles we developed to help guide YouTube's kids and family creator
    ecosystem is available at https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/
    10774223.

        Question 2. YouTube Kids was created to provide younger users a
    more family-friendly experience, but YouTube Kids still shows ads to
    children. Given all the products and services owned and operated under
    Alphabet, Inc., in your view, is it necessary for YouTube to put ads on
    YouTube Kids?
        Answer. To ensure YouTube Kids is available free of charge and
    accessible to all consumers, we adopted an advertising-supported model.
        We offer our services for free for users, and the revenue from ads
    is a key part of what allows us to sustain a vibrant community of
    content creators. We are committed to fostering an appropriate viewing
    environment for children and families. In 2015, we created YouTube Kids
    from the ground up with kids in mind. To ensure that the app could
    remain free while also offering a kid-friendly environment, we designed
    and implemented strict policies specifically for advertising that
    appears in YouTube Kids. Creators are often small businesses who rely
    on advertising revenue to invest in development of quality content and
    they receive a majority share of the advertising revenue. To ensure
    that the app could remain free while also offering a kid-friendly
    environment, we designed and implemented strict policies specifically
    for advertising that appears in YouTube Kids (more information is
    available at https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/6168681?hl=en).
        Three core principles underlie the YouTube Kids' ads policies: (1)
    maintain an appropriate viewing environment for children and families;
    (2) prohibit personalized advertising or third-party tracking or data
    collection in the app; and (3) permit only advertisement formats that
    maintain a closed environment that we can monitor and control. We
    prohibit paid ads on YouTube Kids unless they meet these requirements.
    We also have never allowed any personalized ads on YouTube Kids.
        Our ads policy team, who is specifically trained on the YouTube
    Kids' ads policy (available at https://support.google.com/youtube/
    answer/6168681), reviews each ad before it appears on YouTube Kids.
    Only ads that pass this review are eligible to be served in YouTube
    Kids, and we prohibit paid ads that contain adult, dangerous,
    sexualized, or violent content. The YouTube Kids' ads policy also
    forbids contests and sweepstakes, as well as ads that mislead or make
    deceptive claims, ads that imply social status, and ads that refer to
    social media campaigns or websites. Ads that incite children to make a
    purchase, or urge their parents to buy the item, are also prohibited.
    Ads for certain product categories are also prohibited on YouTube Kids,
    including: (1) regulated products, including alcohol, gambling, and
    pharmaceutical/healthcare, as well as other products that may be
    dangerous to kids, such as reworks or instructions on how to make
    harmful products; (2) sensitive products that may be inappropriate for
    kids, such as those relating to dating, politics, and religion; and (3)
    products that we have determined may not be appropriate for young
    audiences, including age-sensitive media content, beauty and fitness,
    relationships, online or virtual communities, political ads, religious
    ads, and video games.
        We require all ads to be clearly branded by the advertiser and/or
    product marketed in the video and the ads must be distinctive so that
    users can readily distinguish ads from general content. To reinforce
    the separation between paid ads and other content on YouTube Kids, a
    three-second ad ``bumper'' introduction appears at the start of every
    advertisement shown on YouTube Kids.
        YouTube Kids prohibits any personalized advertising or retargeting/
    remarketing campaigns from being shown in the app. Only contextual ads
    are permitted. YouTube Kids also prohibits any collection of data for
    personalized advertising or retargeting. YouTube Kids does not contain
    any plug-ins or social widgets that would allow users to interact with
    a third-party site or service such as Facebook or Twitter, and it does
    not allow third-party ad networks to serve ads within the app.
        We have also adopted several policies with respect to creator
    videos that contain commercial content within YouTube Kids. For
    example, we require content creators to indicate whether their videos
    include any paid product placements or endorsements during the upload
    process. We do not allow any videos with such declared paid product
    placements from being shown anywhere on YouTube Kids. Our Help Center
    notifies creators that they are required to follow relevant local laws
    and must declare that their content includes paid promotion if they
    have received payment or goods in exchange for their video. We've also
    started to remove overly commercial content from YouTube Kids, such as
    a video that only focuses on product packaging or directly encourages
    children to spend money (more information is available at https://
    support.google.com/youtube/answer/10938174).
                                     ______

          Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Mike Lee to
                                 Leslie Miller
        Question 1. During the hearing I asked the following:

            ``Google Play has the app rating at Teen, meaning 13+, while
            the Apple Store has it rated at 17+. Why is there is a
            disparity in the age ratings between Apple and Google for
            YouTube? And if Apple determined that the age rating should be
            17+, why did Google determine that its own app should be set as
            Teen?''

        At the time you said you were not sure how these decisions were
    made, but that you would follow up. Now that you've had a chance to
    review, can you explain why there is a disparity in the age rating
    between Google Play and the Apple Store?
        Have you advocated for your app rating to be increased on Google or
    decreased on Apple?
        Answer. Google Play strives to provide a positive, safe, and fun
    environment for children and families. We empower parents to set
    healthy digital ground rules with Family Link parental controls and
    special Google accounts for kids (more information is available at
    https://families.google.com/familylink/; also see https://
    support.google.com/families/answer/7103338?hl=en). We also have
    developer policies in place with regard to apps that are primarily or
    in some cases partly directed to children (for additional information,
    please see https://support.google.com/google play/android-developer/
    answer/9893335?hl=en&ref_topic=9877766).
        App and games ratings are provided on Google Play in order to help
    parents understand the maturity of the content available to users,
    including whether the content may include sexual content, violence,
    drugs, gambling and/or profane language (for additional information,
    please see https://support.google.com/googleplay/answer/6209544).
    Parents and users can tap ``Read More'' within an apps details page in
    order to see a description of why the app got a particular rating,
    including whether the app has interactive features.
        We approach age ratings and related restrictions from two angles--
    First, the Google Play store incorporates content ratings from the
    International Age Rating Coalition (IARC) (more information is
    available at https://www.globalratings.com/), which are designed to
    help developers communicate locally relevant content ratings to users
    in the jurisdictions where they live. We use IARC because we know that
    people in different countries have different ideas about what's
    appropriate when it comes to content for kids, teens, or adults. These
    ratings are also used to aid parental blocking--a parent can filter or
    block apps for their children by not showing mature rated apps to kids.
    They can achieve this using device settings or the Family Link app.
    Second, we also require developers to abide by certain policies
    (available at https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/
    topic/98580
    52?hl=en) based on the target audience of their apps. This is based in
    part on developers' self-reported target audience and, in part, on our
    review of the app. In terms of enforcement, Google promptly
    investigates both internal and third-party flagging of apps for
    potential violations of the Play policies, to determine what steps need
    to be taken. We encourage the Committee to contact the IARC for more
    information about the rating issue identified.

        Question 2. Does your platform permit ``interest'' specific ads to
    be targeted to children?
        Answer. On YouTube Kids, YouTube's supervised experience, and on
    our main YouTube platform for users watching ``Made for Kids'' content,
    we prohibit personalized advertising.
        We are especially careful with ads that are shown in these
    contexts, ensuring that certain categories of ads, such as for alcohol
    or drugs, tobacco, or food and beverages are never shown on YouTube
    Kids, supervised experiences on YouTube, or those watching ``Made for
    Kids'' content, regardless of age.
        Only contextual ads (not personalized ads) are eligible to serve to
    users of YouTube Kids, supervised accounts on YouTube main and on
    ``Made for Kids'' content. Contextual advertising is based on the
    content of the underlying video that is being watched, whereas
    personalized advertising makes use of, for example, an individual
    user's activity or demographic information in order to provide tailored
    ads.
        In August, we announced that we'll be expanding safeguards to
    prevent age-sensitive ad categories from being shown to teens, and that
    we will block ad targeting based on the age, gender, or interests of
    people under 18 (more information is available at https://blog.google/
    technology/families/giving-kids-and-teens-safer-experience-online/).
    We'll start rolling out these updates across our products globally over
    the coming months.

        Question 3. What interest related data does your platform collect
    from children's profiles?

        Question 4. Does your platform collect data on children that is for
    adult products--tobacco, alcohol, recreational drug use--or for
    sexually suggestive ads?
        Answer. Because the answers to these questions are related, we have
    grouped together our response to Questions Nos. 3 and 4.
        As a general matter, we only collect the minimum amount of data
    necessary to make the YouTube Kids experience engaging and age
    appropriate, and we never collect personal information like name,
    address, or contact information from kids. We adhere to our obligations
    under COPPA concerning data collection and storage.
        YouTube Kids also does not allow kids to share their personal
    information with third parties or make it publicly available. As
    detailed in the YouTube Kids privacy notice (available at https://
    kids.youtube.com/t/privacynotice), we do collect information about the
    devices used to access the service, and app usage information such as
    preferred language. We also collect information on app activity like
    search terms and videos watched, in order to offer content that is
    likely to be of interest to them. If parents decide to sign into
    YouTube Kids with their Google Account, the App will also collect
    profile information for any profiles they create for their children, as
    well as their parental controls and customization preferences.
        We believe that products should keep user information for only as
    long as it's useful and helpful to the user--including for things like
    getting recommendations for what to watch on YouTube. That's why last
    year we introduced auto-delete controls (available at https://
    www.blog.google/technology/safety-security/automatically-delete-data/),
    which give users the choice to have Google automatically and
    continuously delete their Location History, search, voice, and YouTube
    activity data after 3 months or 18 months. We continue to challenge
    ourselves to do more with less data, and we've recently changed our
    data retention practices to make auto-delete the default for our core
    activity settings (available at https://myaccount.google.com/data-and-
    personalization).
        As noted in our response to Question 2, we do not personalize ads
    for users declared to be under 18, and we are especially careful with
    ads that are shown in these contexts, ensuring that certain categories
    of ads, such as for alcohol or drugs, tobacco, or food and beverages
    are never shown on YouTube Kids, Supervised Experiences, declared under
    18 users or those watching ``Made for Kids'' content, regardless of
    age.

                                   [all]