Nearly 3 in 4 US adults say social media companies have too much power, influence in politics

A Pew Research survey released Wednesday shows 72 percent of U.S. adults believe social media companies wield too much power, with Republicans especially agreeing with this perspective.  

The findings come as four major tech executives prepare to testify before the House Judiciary Antitrust Subcommittee about their roles in the economy and society on July 27. The companies include Google, Facebook, Amazon and Apple.  

“Beyond debates about fair business practices, the tech industry has also come under fire in recent months from a host of critics – from President Donald Trump to civil rights advocates and even tech companies’ own employees,” says Pew, a non-partisan think tank based in Washington D.C. 

“Amid these concerns, Americans favor more, not less, regulation of major technology companies, according to the Center’s recent survey. Some 47 percent of the public thinks the government should be regulating major technology companies more than they are now, while just 11 percent think they should be regulated less,” the report continues. “About four-in-ten, 39 percent, believe regulation should stay at its current level.”

Overall, those identifying as conservative Republicans believe tech companies have too much power at the highest level, or 89 percent, while moderate Democrats are the least likely to agree with that assessment, or 60 percent.  

The only area where Republicans and Democrats share similar numbers is on the topic of government regulation of big technology companies, with 48 percent of Republicans and 46 percent of Democrats agreeing the government should regulate big technology companies more than what is currently being done.