The heads of Reddit, Discord, Twitch, and Steam have been summoned to testify before Congress on October 8, as lawmakers investigate the role online platforms play in political radicalisation.
The hearing comes in the wake of the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk earlier this month. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) said the testimony is aimed at addressing how extremists exploit digital communities.
“Congress has a duty to oversee the online platforms that radicals have used to advance political violence,” Comer said in a statement. “To prevent future radicalisation and violence, the CEOs of Discord, Steam, Twitch, and Reddit must appear before the Oversight Committee and explain what actions they will take.”
Letters were sent to Humam Sakhnini (Discord), Gabe Newell (Valve/Steam), Dan Clancy (Twitch), and Steve Huffman (Reddit) requesting their appearance. Each will be allowed to deliver a short statement before taking questions from committee members.
The urgency stems from the FBI’s investigation into 22 year old Tyler Robinson, who was taken into custody following Kirk’s killing. Authorities say Robinson used Discord to discuss the murder after the fact, and screenshots published by The Washington Post allegedly show him admitting responsibility in a chatroom. “It was me at UVU yesterday,” one message read. “I’m sorry for all of this.”
The FBI has since confirmed it is examining the activity of more than 20 other users who interacted with Robinson on Discord prior to the attack. Investigators also revealed texts in which Robinson allegedly explained his motivations to his partner.
For Congress, the case has amplified concerns that gaming networks, streaming platforms, and online forums can become breeding grounds for extremist rhetoric. With four major tech leaders now expected to testify, October’s hearing could set the tone for how U.S. lawmakers pressure digital platforms on moderation, accountability, and free speech.
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