Special Report: Do Social Media Companies Promote Violence?

New York Attorney General Letitia James is launching an investigation into social media companies in connection with the Buffalo mass shooting. Axios reports that the investigation will look into social media companies and other online resources that the alleged shooter might have used to discuss — and amplify — his intentions to carry out the attack that killed 10 and wounded three.
The investigations will focus on platforms — such as Twitch, 4chan, 8chan and Discord — that may have been used to stream, promote or plan the attack. "The terror attack in Buffalo has once again revealed the depths and danger of the online forums that spread and promote hate," James said in a statement.
New York AG opens investigation on social media companies after Buffalo shooting (Axios)
"Time and time again, we have seen the real-world devastation that is borne of these dangerous and hateful platforms, and we are doing everything in our power to shine a spotlight on this alarming behavior and take action to ensure it never happens again," New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement.
According to NPR, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul requested the investigation and wrote to the state's prosecutors that the Buffalo massacre "raises questions about the role of social media platforms in the promotion of violence. These questions need to be answered."
New York attorney general launches probe of Twitch and Discord after Buffalo shooting (NPR)
In a related story, also from Axios, the man arrested in conjunction with the shooting said knowing he could broadcast his attack was part of his impetus. "Live streaming this attack gives me some motivation in the way that I know that some people will be cheering for me," the shooter said during his racist video rant during the attack, per the Washington Post and New York Times.
Live streaming motivated the Buffalo shooter (Axios)
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