The House Energy & Commerce Committee has also summoned Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for a hearing. | Luis Gene/AFP/Getty Images Senate panel calls on Zuckerberg to testify

The leaders of the Senate Commerce Committee Froday called on Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to testify before their panel amid the controversy over reports that Trump-linked Cambridge Analytica improperly obtained data on 50 million Facebook users.

Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) and ranking member Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said many questions have been raised over Facebook's responsibilities and obligations and it's time to hear from the Facebook CEO.


"We believe Mr. Zuckerberg’s testimony is necessary to gain a better understanding of how the company plans to restore lost trust, safeguard users’ data, and end a troubling series of belated responses to serious problems," the two senators said in the statement. "We appreciate the efforts Facebook and its employees have already made to assist our committee and will work with them to find a suitable date for Mr. Zuckerberg to testify in the coming weeks."

The House Energy and Commerce Committee has also summoned Zuckerberg for a hearing.

