Rep. Joyce Beatty accused Mark Zuckerberg of ruining the lives of black Americans and making a “joke” of civil rights.
Zuckerberg appeared Wednesday before the House Financial Services Committee to speak about Facebook’s digital currency proposal, Libra.
Although he was there to testify about Libra, the Ohio Democrat took the opportunity to press Zuckerberg about racial disparities at Facebook. The social media giant is facing legal trouble for allowing housing advertisements to target or exclude people based on race.
Beatty asked Zuckerberg who he had recruited to manage an internal task force on civil rights. The Facebook founder noted that he had COO Sheryl Sandberg on the commission.
The congresswoman was displeased with Zuckerberg’s answer, saying, “We know Sheryl’s not really civil rights. I’m trying to help you here.”
She noted that Sandberg doesn’t have a background in civil rights. The congresswoman accused Zuckerberg of not taking the company’s problems with race seriously.
“It’s almost like you think this is a joke when you have ruined the lives of many people, discriminated against them,” Beatty said.
Beatty then asked Zuckerberg if he knew what percentage of black Americans use his platform. When he was unable to answer the question, Beatty blasted him for not knowing that information.
“Maybe you just don’t read a lot of things that deal with civil rights or African Americans,” said Beatty, later adding, “I would like an answer, because this is appalling and disgusting to me.”
Earlier in the day, Zuckerberg was questioned about Facebook’s refusal to fact-check political advertisements by Democratic California Rep. Maxine Waters.
Waters accused Facebook of granting “politicians a license to lie” in return for profit, while Zuckerberg maintained that the company only wants to ensure that voters can see what politicians are saying.
