Facebook Asks: Are Your Friends Becoming Extremists?

Facebook is beginning to warn some customers they could have seen “extremist content” on the social media website, the corporate stated on Thursday.

Screenshots shared on Twitter confirmed a discover asking “Are you concerned that someone you know is becoming an extremist?” and one other that alerted customers “you may have been exposed to harmful extremist content recently.” Both included hyperlinks to “get support.”

The world’s largest social media community has lengthy been underneath strain from lawmakers and civil rights teams to fight extremism on its platforms, together with US home actions concerned within the January 6 Capitol riot when teams supporting former President Donald Trump tried to cease the US Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s victory within the November election.

Facebook stated the small take a look at, which is barely on its essential platform, was operating within the United States as a pilot for a worldwide strategy to forestall radicalization on the location.

“This test is part of our larger work to assess ways to provide resources and support to people on Facebook who may have engaged with or were exposed to extremist content, or may know someone who is at risk,” stated a Facebook spokesperson in an emailed assertion. “We are partnering with NGOs and academic experts in this space and hope to have more to share in the future.”

It stated the efforts have been a part of its dedication to the Christchurch Call to Action, a marketing campaign involving main tech platforms to counter violent extremist content material on-line that was launched following a 2019 assault in New Zealand that was live-streamed on Facebook.

Facebook stated within the take a look at it was figuring out each customers who could have been uncovered to rule-breaking extremist content material and customers who had beforehand been the topic of Facebook’s enforcement.

The firm, which has tightened its guidelines in opposition to violent and hate teams lately, stated it does take away some content material and accounts that violate its guidelines pro-actively earlier than the fabric is seen by customers, however that different content material could also be seen earlier than it’s enforced in opposition to.

© Thomson Reuters 2021