Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg dramatically apologized to the families of victims who were impacted by child sexual exploitation on Facebook and Instagram after being confronted at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MI).
Hawley hammered Zuckerberg during Wednesday’s hearing, with all the major social media CEOs present. The Republican senator argued Meta had not done enough to prevent children from being exploited on their platforms, accusing the company of being more concerned with “making money.”
Following the intense questioning, Hawley then demanded the tech billionaire turn around and apologize the families of the victims sitting behind him in the committee audience.
Zuckerberg then stood up from the table and turned around to address the families directly.
“I’m sorry for everything you’ve all gone through,” he said on Wednesday afternoon. “Nobody should have to go through what your families have suffered. This is why we have invested so much and are going to continue industry leading efforts to make sure that no one has to go through the types of things your families have suffered.”
Previously, Hawley pressed Zuckerberg on if Meta would offer payment or restitution for victims who were sexually exploited on their platforms.