House Panel Seeks Data From Alphabet, Facebook, Twitter About Online Russian Energy Ads

House Science, Space and Technology Committee Chairman Lamar Smith, R-Texas, is seeking information from Alphabet, Facebook and Twitter about online anti-fracking and anti-fossil fuel advertisements or promotions bought by Russian entities, said a committee news release Wednesday. Facebook disclosed Russian entities bought more than $100,000 in social media ads to influence U.S. politics. In letters to the CEOs of each company, Smith wrote Russia "likely" took a similar effort to use social media to influence the U.S. energy market. Such sites can "serve as an effective propaganda arm conveying specific messages to geographically targeted audiences," wrote Smith.