Twitter CEO defies House committee

New Delhi, February 9

Days before US Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’ India visit, the CEO of social media site Twitter, Jack Dorsey, refused to appear before a parliamentary committee on Monday.  

The offer of sending junior officials as substitutes elicited a sharp reaction from the BJP which warned Twitter of repercussions. The committee had accommodated Twitter’s objection to the short travel notice, shifting the meeting by four days.

The company stopped short of an outright confrontation. It offered to send officials to answer concerns regarding privacy, suggesting a senior official could travel to India in due course.

Parliamentary panel chief Anurag Thakur said the committee had taken “serious view” of the  letter and warned of “further action”.  

A Twitter spokesperson said: “We not only have deep respect for India’s parliamentary process, we are also committed to serving the people who use Twitter in the Indian market.” The dispute could add to the list of grievances that the 

US Commerce Secretary will carry to Delhi. — TNS