Facebook to remove bogus posts inciting violence

Menlo Park : Facebook has built on its campaign to prevent the platform from being used to spread dangerous misinformation, saying it will remove bogus posts likely to spark violence.

The new tactic being spread through the global social network was tested in Sri Lanka, which was recently rocked by inter-religious conflict over false information posted on the world’s leading online social network. “There are certain forms of misinformation that have contributed to physical harm, and we are making a policy change which will enable us to take that type of content down,” a Facebook spokesman said after a briefing on the policy at its campus in Silicon Valley.

“We will be begin implementing the policy during the coming months.” For example, Facebook may remove inaccurate or misleading content, such as doctored photos, created or shared to stir up to ignite volatile situations in the real world. The social network said it is partnering with local organisations and authorities adept at identifying when posts are false and likely to prompt violence.

Misinformation removed in Sri Lanka under the new policy included content falsely contending that Muslims were poisoning food given or sold to Buddhists, according to Facebook. Hate speech and threats deemed credible are violations of Facebook rules, and are removed. The new policy takes another step back, eliminating content that may not be explicitly violent but which seems likely to encourage such behavior.Facebook has been lambasted for allowing rumours or blatantly false information to circulate that may have contributed to violence.