U.S. Congresswoman Kathleen Rice from Long Island wants answers from Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg about the social media company’s role in disinformation campaigns that target veterans.
Rice wants Facebook to provide data on veterans that were targeted by extremist groups involved in storming of the U.S. Capitol last month.
She blames Facebook for the spread of online conspiracy theories.
“And it's my opinion that Facebook has a responsibility to stop it. Our veterans and military service members are being specifically targeted by disinformation campaigns that are specifically designed to radicalize them,” Rice said.
Rice said extremists recruit veterans because they’re more likely to be politically engaged, and they tend to have more influence in their communities.
A report from NPR found nearly one in five people charged in the Capitol riots have military experience.
Long Island has one of the largest veteran populations in the state.
