Social media giant Facebook has announced that they have been removing organizations, groups, and content linked to those who call for and/or advocate violence. These include United States-based militia organizations and QAnon.
They are taking action against groups that utilize Facebook Pages, Groups, and Instagram accounts that are associated with offline anarchist groups that support violent acts amid protests. They have stated that they already remove content calling for or advocating violence and ban organizations and individuals that proclaim a violent mission.
So far, Facebook has removed over 790 groups, 100 Pages, and 1,500 ads tied to QAnon from Facebook, blocked over 300 hashtags across Facebook and Instagram, and imposed restrictions on over 1,950 Groups and 440 Pages on Facebook and over 10,000 accounts on Instagram.
For the militia organizations and groups as well as those encouraging riots and violence, including those who may identify as Antifa, they have removed over 980 groups, 520 Pages, and 160 ads from Facebook—as well as restricted over 1,400 hashtags related to these groups and organizations on Instagram.
Facebook has updated its focus on its Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policy. This was based on seeing growing movements that have been celebrating violent acts, showing that they have access to weapons and threatening their use of them. The policy is expanding by addressing organizations and movements that have shown significant risks to public safety but that do not meet the criteria to be designated as a dangerous organization and being banned from having access to this platform. People can post content that supports these movements and groups, as long as they do not violate the specific content policies posted. There will be restrictions on their ability to organize on the platform.
Facebook has the right to remove content from any movements that violate any of the policies, including those against fake accounts, harassment, hate speech, and/or inciting violence. Misinformation that is rated false by third-party fact-checkers will be reduced in the News Feed so fewer people will get to see it. Any non-state actor or group that qualifies as a dangerous individual or organization will be banned from the Facebook platform.
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