Facebook Inc said on Thursday that it is starting to alert some users that they may have seen “extremist content” on the social networking site.
“Are you afraid that someone you know is becoming an extremist?” a notification said, according to screenshots published on Twitter. and another that said, “You may have lately been exposed to hazardous extremist content.” Both had “get support” links.
The world’s largest social media network has long been under fire from lawmakers and civil rights organisations for failing to combat extremism on its platforms, including US domestic movements involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot, in which supporters of former President Donald Trump attempted to prevent the US Congress from certifying Joe Biden’s election victory in November.
The limited test, which is solely on Facebook’s main platform, is being done in the United States as a pilot for a global approach to preventing radicalization on the site, according to Facebook.
“In this space, we’re collaborating with NGOs and academic specialists, and we hope to have more to contribute in the future.”
It said the actions were part of its commitment to the Christchurch Call to Action, a movement involving major digital platforms to combat violent extremist content online that was established in the aftermath of a live-streamed attack in New Zealand in 2019.
In the test, Facebook said it was looking for both users who may have been exposed to rule-breaking extremist content and users who have previously been subject to Facebook’s enforcement.
The firm, which has recently reinforced its restrictions against violent and hate organisations, said it removes certain content and accounts that break its rules before it is seen by users, but that other stuff may be accessed before it is enforced.
