META, GOOGLE SAY BIDEN PRESSED THEM TO CENSOR CONTENT

Meta and Google say Biden administration pressed them to censor content, including political opponents and COVID-19 posts.

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Two of the world’s biggest tech platforms, Meta and Google, have gone public with claims that the Biden administration pressured them to suppress certain voices, political opponents, and content related to COVID-19. The revelations, which emerged in a combination of legal filings, congressional testimony, and press statements, add fuel to an already heated debate about the balance between government influence, free speech, and the responsibility of private platforms to moderate harmful content.

BIG TECH UNDER PRESSURE FROM WASHINGTON

According to statements from executives and documents released in ongoing lawsuits, officials from the White House and multiple federal agencies routinely contacted Meta (the parent company of Facebook and Instagram) and Google (the owner of YouTube and Search) during the height of the pandemic. The communications reportedly included requests to remove posts questioning vaccine safety, criticizing lockdowns, and promoting alternative COVID-19 treatments.

Both companies also said they faced pressure to demote or block content from Republican lawmakers and commentators who were critical of the administration's policies. While neither Meta nor Google confirmed specific names, they said the directives created a chilling effect on how moderation teams handled sensitive political and health-related topics.