U.S. senators Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Edward Markey (D-MA), and Josh Hawley (R-MO) have recently sent three separate letters to Facebook, Google, and Apple demanding for answers to their questions regarding the companies controversial research apps.
The letters are addressed to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Google senior vice president of platforms and ecosystems Hiroshi Lockheimer, and Apple CEO Tim Cook.
In the letters sent today, the three Senators have criticized controversial research apps used by Facebook and Google. The letters questioned the companies on the scope of their research, and asked Apple questions about how the company polices its App Store.
The letters say the news stories “fit with longstanding concerns that Facebook has used its products to deeply intrude into personal privacy,” and ask Facebook and Google for details on the research apps.
In the letter to Zuckerberg, the senators ask when the project began, how many participants were under 18 years old, and exactly how data was collected and retained. The letters also question Google about its Google Play Store policies, as well as Apple on whether it has done a proactive search for similar apps.
The three companies did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The senators are requesting answers by March 1st.