Google CEO Sundar Pichai set to testify before Congress next week

Google CEO Sundar Pichai is set to testify on Capitol Hill next week, marking the chief executive’s first public appearance before Congress as lawmakers intensify their criticism of the world’s biggest tech giants.

Pichai is scheduled to testify before the House Judiciary Committee on Dec. 5, the panel announced Wednesday, offering lawmakers an opportunity to scrutinize Google’s filtering practices and allegations of political bias.

{mosads}The tech executive is likely to field sharp questions about allegations that Google censors conservative voices, a theory promoted by President Trump and key Republican figures. Pichai has previously disputed claims of political bias against conservatives in Google’s search results.

“The technology behind online services like social media and Internet search engines can … be used to suppress particular viewpoints and manipulate public opinion,” House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) said in a statement. “It is Congress’ responsibility to the American people to make sure these tech giants are transparent and accountable in their practices.”

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) also released a statement claiming Google’s “business practices may have been affected by political bias.” 

The Google chief’s appearance before the Judiciary Committee will come a few months after he attended a private meeting with Republicans to discuss the perception that Google censors news from right-leaning outlets.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are also likely to grill him about reports that Google is working on a censored search engine for China. The project, dubbed “Dragonfly,” has faced heavy criticism from human rights activists, Google employees and Vice President Pence, who say it could contribute to Beijing’s state suppression and censorship. 

Pichai’s scheduled hearing comes after Google in September declined to participate in a public hearing attended by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg, opting instead for closed-door meetings.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg also testified before Congress in a widely-publicized hearing in April.

Google did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment about Pichai’s schedule hearing.