Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg empty chaired by International Committee

Facebook CEO Mark
Zuckerberg’s empty chair.
Gabriel
Sainhas, House of Commons

• Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was humiliated by a group
  of international lawmakers for failing to give evidence on
  Facebook scandals.
• The International Grand Committee convened in the UK on
  Tuesday, with politicians from nine different countries coming
  together with the ambition of grilling Zuckerberg.
• After repeated requests to give evidence, Zuckerberg
  declined. As a result, the committee decided to empty chair the
  Facebook CEO.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was humiliated by a group of
international lawmakers for failing to give evidence on Facebook
scandals.

The International Grand Committee convened in the UK on Tuesday,
with politicians from nine different countries coming together
with the ambition of grilling Zuckerberg. It is the first time
since 1933 that such a committee has assembled in the UK.

After repeated requests to give evidence, Zuckerberg declined. As
a result, the committee decided to empty chair the Facebook CEO
in an unusual piece of political theatre.

Instead, Facebook fielded policy chief Richard Allan to handle
questions from lawmakers. He sat next to the chair intended for
Zuckerberg. Here’s a screenshot from the session:

Parliament

Allan apologized for Zuckerberg’s no-show and admitted that the
optics of the decision were “not great.”

Charlie Angus, vice chair of Canada’s Access to Information,
Privacy and Ethics committee, said he was “deeply disappointed”
by Zuckerberg’s decision to “blow off” the committee.

As well as Canada, parliamentarians from countries including
Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Latvia, and Singapore were represented
on Tuesday.