Jim Jordan warns Google’s parent company of consequences for not cooperating with censorship probe.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Sends Letter to Google Parent Company Alphabet Over Failure to Comply with Subpoena

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH) has sent a letter to Google parent company Alphabet after the firm failed to comply with a subpoena related to federal government officials working with technology firms to censor content.

Lawmakers Request Documents Related to Alleged Suppression of Free Speech

Lawmakers asked executives at Alphabet, as well as Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Microsoft, for documents related to their alleged suppression of free speech. Jordan said that Alphabet insufficiently complied with the subpoena, which was issued on February 15 and required a return date of March 23, and redacted information in an improper manner.

• Alphabet provided 4,049 pages of documents related to censorship efforts
• The materials must be examined in a reading room, which prevents and frustrates the committee’s understanding and use of those documents

“Despite explicit instructions enclosed with the subpoena to produce unredacted documents, Alphabet has frustrated the committee’s review of the responsive material by unilaterally redacting key information necessary to understand the context and content of the material,” Jordan said in the letter to Daniel Donovan, an attorney who represents Alphabet. “These redactions do not appear to be based on any applicable privilege, because Alphabet has asserted none, and the committee requires this material to be produced without redactions.”

Investigation into Suppression of Free Speech by Technology and Social Media Companies

The subpoena was largely focused on obtaining communications between executives at rival social media companies regarding the coordinated censorship of particular viewpoints. Technology companies have drawn particular backlash in recent years for censoring information critical of the federal response to the pandemic and the efficacy of lockdown mandates.

The investigation into the suppression of free speech by technology and social media companies occurs after several installments of the Twitter Files, a set of internal documents Twitter owner Elon Musk provided to investigative journalists, indicated that executives worked with federal officials to censor certain claims, as well as used shadow bans and suspensions against conservative and moderate users.

Enforcement Mechanisms May Be Considered

Lawmakers can hold individuals in contempt of Congress for intentionally interfering with a committee’s investigation, a move which would require a committee vote and a simple majority in the relevant chamber. Republicans currently have majorities on the House Judiciary Committee and the House of Representatives.

Jordan added that the committee might be “forced to consider the use of one or more enforcement mechanisms” should Alphabet fail to submit relevant documents on May 22.

Stay up-to-date with the latest news by downloading the Daily Wire app today.

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases