US Capitol assault probe subpoenas social media giants

Subpoenas were sent to YouTube parent Alphabet (Google), Facebook parent Meta and the two others.

The Congressional committee investigating the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol on Thursday subpoenaed records from YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Reddit that would detail the use of social media in the attack.

A mob of supporters of former US President Donald Trump storm the US Capitol Building in Washington on January 6, 2021. (Leah Millis / REUTERS)

Subpoenas were sent to YouTube parent Alphabet (Google), Facebook parent Meta and the two others for records that could help explain "how the spread of misinformation and violent extremism contributed to the violent attack on our democracy," said Bennie Thompson, chairman of the House Select January 6 Committee.