Some Facebook users are being warned by social network about friends or acquaintances who may be taking extremist positions. Mark Zuckerberg's platform is seen by many entities as one of the main online environments for propagation of hate speech and extremism, being criticized constantly for not acting as he should about this situation, and apparently, he is at least trying to alleviate the problem.
The warnings, according to Facebook, are part of a small test on your platform The warnings are part of a global effort to prevent radicalization on the site. Andy Stone, a spokesman for the company, said the warnings are part of an assessment of ways to “provide resources and support to people on Facebook who may have engaged with or been exposed to extremist content,” or who “may know someone who is at risk.” He also said Facebook is partnering with NGOs and academic experts on the issue.
Is someone you know becoming an extremist?
i clicked on the support tab and this is what it shows, but like, what was i exposed to? and why does it keep showing me over and over again?? pic.twitter.com/JptUp0c2e8
— Downer Avalon (@AvalonClare) July 1, 2021
Screenshots seen on Twitter show two types of alerts. In one of them, it says “Is someone you know becoming an extremist? We care about preventing extremism on Facebook. Others in your situation have received confidential support.” Another alert says that the user may have been exposed to harmful extremist content recently and that “violent groups are trying to manipulate your anger and disappointment. You can take action now to protect yourself and others.”
Both notices included links to support from the social network. The test is identifying both users who may have been exposed to rule-breaking extremist content and users who had previously been subject to Facebook enforcement. The spokesperson says these test requests are part of an ongoing initiative at Facebook that redirects users seeking hateful or violent content to educational resources.
Warnings are part of Facebook's commitment
According to Andy Stone, the warnings are part of the company's commitment to Christchurch Call to Action, a campaign involving major technology platforms to curb violent extremist content online. The campaign was launched in 2019 by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern following a violent attack at a mosque in the country. The massacre of 51 people was broadcast live on the social network Mark Zuckerberg.
Through which channels you reach those people, classic and out of the box. Phonearena e Reuters
Image: Diego Thomazini/Shutterstock
