Facebook, Google defend efforts to remove hate speech before Congress

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 09: Alexandria Walden of Google LLC's Public Policy and Government Relations Counsel for Free Expression and Human Rights testifies during a House Judiciary Committee hearing discussing hate crimes and the rise of white nationalism on Capitol Hill on April 9, 2019 in Washington, DC. Internet companies have come under fire recently for allowing hate groups on their platforms. Zach Gibson/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

WASHINGTON: Facebook Inc and Alphabet Inc's Google unit on April 9 defended their efforts to remove hate speech from social media sites amid questions from lawmakers in an appearance before the US House Judiciary Committee.

Representative Jerrold Nadler, who chairs the panel, said white nationalist groups target communities of color and religious minorities through social media.