Senate panel expects Facebook to testify publicly for Russia probe

The Senate Intelligence Committee is expecting Facebook executives to testify at a public hearing as part of the panel’s investigation into Russia’s efforts to meddle in the 2016 presidential election.

Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), the committee’s chairman, told reporters on Tuesday that representatives from the social media giant will likely testify in the fall.

“We’re in agreement on a Facebook public hearing,” Burr said. “It’s just a question of when and potentially the scope.”

{mosads}Facebook declined to comment on whether it would send representatives to testify if invited.

Burr also said that Twitter and other companies may also be asked to testify.

Twitter says that it plans to share its analysis of potential pro-Kremlin activity on its site during the election with investigators.

Sen. Mark Warner (Va.), the ranking Democrat on the Senate panel, reportedly said that he and Burr have agreed on the testimony.

Meanwhile, Warner confirmed that Twitter has been scheduled for a private briefing with the committee soon.

Facebook has already provided special counsel Robert Mueller, who is leading the federal Russia probe, with details on ad spending from Russian groups during the election.

The company has said it’s cooperating with federal investigators and is conducting ongoing briefings with officials in Senate and House Intelligence Committees, according to a source familiar.

Facebook told investigators last month that had sold about 3,000 advertisements to fake Russia-based accounts totaling nearly $150,000.

Ali Breland contributed.