US Senate Probes Meta's Efforts to Access Chinese Market

A U.S. Senate subcommittee has initiated an investigation into Meta Platforms' attempts to enter the Chinese market, focusing on allegations that the company developed censorship tools for the Chinese Communist Party. Senators Ron Johnson, Richard Blumenthal, and Josh Hawley have requested extensive documentation from Meta, including communications with Chinese officials dating back to 2014, with a submission deadline of April 21. The scrutiny follows claims in the book 'Careless People' by former Facebook executive Sarah Wynn-Williams, which asserts that Meta had a plan, code-named 'Project Aldrin,' to gain market access. Meta has denied these allegations, attributing them to a former employee's grievances and reiterating that it does not operate in China today. The investigation raises concerns about corporate practices and the broader implications for U.S.-China relations. Experts have criticized the probe as a form of trade protectionism that may harm U.S. corporate interests and global trade norms.