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Captain Reid: Reddit is a 'cesspool of hate'

Lawmakers say site harbors domestic extremism and needs to be regulated

By Paul Szoldra | TheHill.com

Lawmakers on Tuesday demanded answers from Reddit CEO Steve Huffman about the company's handling of domestic extremism on its platform, saying Reddit has become a "cesspool of hate."

During a House Homeland Security hearing, Huffman faced intense criticism from both Democrats and Republicans over Reddit's policies on hate speech and misinformation.

"Reddit has become a cesspool of hate," said Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.). "It is a breeding ground for domestic extremism and violence."

Torres cited a number of examples of extremist content that has been allowed to flourish on Reddit, including subreddits dedicated to white supremacy, neo-Nazism, and other forms of hate speech.

Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.), the ranking member of the committee, also expressed concern about Reddit's handling of extremism.

"Reddit has a serious problem with domestic extremism," Rogers said. "The company needs to do more to address this issue and to protect its users from harm."

Huffman defended Reddit's policies, saying the company takes hate speech and extremism seriously and has taken steps to address these issues.

"We have a zero-tolerance policy for hate speech and violence," Huffman said. "We have also banned a number of subreddits that promote hate and extremism."

However, lawmakers were not satisfied with Huffman's answers, saying the company needs to do more to address the problem of extremism on its platform.

"Reddit has a moral obligation to do more to combat hate and extremism," Torres said. "The company needs to take immediate action to address this issue and to protect its users from harm."

The hearing comes as Reddit has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of extremism. In recent months, the company has been criticized for allowing subreddits dedicated to white supremacy and other forms of hate speech to flourish on its platform.

Reddit has taken some steps to address the problem of extremism, but critics say the company needs to do more. The company has banned a number of subreddits that promote hate and extremism, but critics say these measures have not been enough to address the problem.

The hearing on Tuesday is likely to increase pressure on Reddit to do more to address the problem of extremism on its platform. Lawmakers are demanding answers from the company and are calling for the company to take immediate action to address this issue.

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