Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey keeps his cool before Congress

September 06, 2018 12:00 am • Last Updated: September 06, 2018 6:06 am

By By BARBRA ORTUTAY, Associated Press

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testifies before the House Energy and Commerce Committee on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Washington. Lawmakers have sparred over whether a now-reversed change to auto-suggestions on Twitter had unfairly hurt Democrats or Republicans more. Dorsey isn't saying which, but tells lawmakers he'll follow up. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey — chill, bearded and nose-ringed — appeared unflappable as he faced hours of questioning from members of Congress Wednesday. He addressed issues as wide-ranging as political bias, hate speech, school safety and election manipulation.

Dorsey live-tweeted his opening statement and answered questions in a low, measured tone. He repeatedly declined to rise to the bait offered by sometimes scathing legislators. Instead, he held forth as the nerdy and earnest CEO who just wants to improve his company and its role in the world.

Dorsey deferred some questions for follow-up, but less often than Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg did during his congressional testimony back in April.

Compared to Zuckerberg, Dorsey "came across as more mature and more comfortable," said Richard Levick, founder and CEO of public-relations firm Levick.

Senate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Mark Warner, D-Va., left, and Chairman Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., center, greet Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey before he testifies before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on 'Foreign Influence Operations and Their Use of Social Media Platforms' on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg, left, accompanied by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey are sworn in before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on 'Foreign Influence Operations and Their Use of Social Media Platforms' on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

An empty chair reserved for Google's parent Alphabet, which refused to send its top executive, is seen as Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg accompanied by Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey testify before the Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on 'Foreign Influence Operations and Their Use of Social Media Platforms' on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2018, in Washington. Google CEO did not show for the hearing. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

Comment threads are monitored for 48 hours after publication and then closed.

STORIES THAT MAY INTEREST YOU