Facebook and Twitter will testify in Russian election meddling probe

Facebook and Twitter confirmed they will answer questions at a November hearing that's part of a Senate committee's investigation into Russian election meddling. Alphabet has also been invited to the hearing that's part of a larger Senate Intelligence Committee investigation into Russian election inference but haven't confirmed their attendance.

Why it matters: Facebook staffers, specifically, have rarely testified on Capitol Hill despite its ascendance as one of the most valuable technology companies in the world. And many tech companies are still largely represented by trade groups in Washington. But tech is under unprecedented pressure on several fronts, and the big companies want to be seen as taking concerns seriously.