Facebook to take down pages linked to terror groups

MANILA, Philippines —  Social media giant Facebook has pledged to take down accounts that are engaging in terrorist activities.

 

In a statement sent to The STAR, Facebook said it follows a strict set of community standards to ensure that users are provided with a service where people feel safe.

 

“Our Community Standards do not allow groups or people that engage in terrorist activity, or posts that express support for terrorism. Fake accounts are also prohibited,” the company said.

 

“We will remove accounts and content that violate these policies when we are made aware of them,” it added.

 

Facebook issued the statement after the military called on the social media giant to remove at least 63 accounts of Maute terrorists and their sympathizers.

 

“We would also like to appeal to Facebook Philippines… to undertake the necessary measures to investigate the 63 Facebook accounts that are being utilized by the Maute local terrorist group and sympathizers,” said Lt. Col. Jo-Ar Herrera, spokesman for the Army’s 1st Infantry Division.

 

Herrera said the accounts have been spreading malicious information that affects the mindset of Filipinos.

 

Among those that were propagated online using these accounts was a video of the terrorists smashing statues at a Catholic church in Marawi City.

 

The military has repeatedly called on the public to avoid spreading content from the terrorists.

 

In its statement, Facebook said it uses a combination of technology and human review to remove terrorist content and fake accounts from its platform as soon as they become aware of it.

 

“We have well-established law enforcement channels for governments to contact us about emergencies and content that violates our community standards,” said the company.

 

“Online extremism can only be tackled with strong partnerships. We have long collaborated with policymakers, civil society, and others in the tech industry, and we are committed to continuing this important work together,” it added.