Technology’s dark side: Pressure mounts on Facebook, Twitter, Google

The application icons of Facebook, Twitter and Google are displayed on an iPhone next to an earphone set in this illustration photo taken in Berlin, June 17, 2013. REUTERS/Pawel Kopczynski/Files

Facebook wants to bring the world closer together. Twitter vows to protect freedom of expression. And as Google tries to make information universally accessible, the company urges its employees not to be evil. 

Now, these companies are facing a wake-up call after the US presidential election highlighted how social media, ads and search results can distort facts, promote fake news or reinforce biases.