Facebook, like many social media platforms, wants to be a supporter of free expression without being seen as actively encouraging hate speech, threats, or harassment. Internally, Facebook has guidelines on what crosses that threshold, but a new investigation finds that these rules do not always make sense, nor do they tend to protect those who are most likely to be targeted. [More]
hate speech
Facebook Unveils Photo-Matching Tool In Effort To Crack Down On Revenge Porn
By 4.5.17 — Updated: 5.10.17
Two years ago, Facebook clarified its approach to complaints about supposedly offensive posts. Now, the company is circling back, releasing new tools to ensure people can’t re-share intimate images previously reported and tagged as revenge porn. [More]
Facebook Clarifies: Bared Nipples, Hate Speech Not Allowed
By 3.16.15
Facebook, like a lot of online sharing platforms with a large user base, frequently takes a “shoot first, ask questions later” approach to complaints about supposedly offensive posts. This has led to automated removal of rather innocent images — mothers breastfeeding, photos of nude paintings and sculptures — and other content that may offend some but was not intended to injure anyone. Today, Facebook tried to give users clearer guidelines about what sort of posts actually violate the site’s standards. [More]
McDonald’s Fires Worker For Drawing A Swastika On Customer’s Sandwich Bun
By 8.11.14
A McDonald’s owner is apologizing and saying a worker at a North Carolina store was fired, after a customer claimed that she found a swastika drawn on her chicken sandwich’s bun with butter. [More]
Ad Campaign Out To Stop People From Using 'Gay' As Pejorative
By 8.13.09
A new ThinkB4YouSpeak school-focused ad campaign is out to stamp out the hurtful practice of referring to things as “gay” in a negative way.
