#Facebook’s new extremism warning causes concern among conservatives
“#Facebook’s new extremism warning causes concern among conservatives”
An eyebrow-raising new Facebook feature warns users when they might have been exposed to extremist content or if they know someone who is becoming an extremist — prompting concerns it may target conservative voices and stifle free speech.
Screenshots of the anti-extremism alerts circulated Thursday on social media.
One of the prompts asks users, “Are you concerned that someone you know is becoming an extremist?”
“We care about preventing extremism on Facebook,” the prompt goes on. “Others in your situation have received confidential support.”
A second alert read, “You may have been exposed to harmful extremist content recently.”
“Violent groups try to manipulate your anger and disappointment. You can take action now to protect yourself and others,” it continues.
Both of the alerts also redirect users to a support page.
“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,” Stone said.
“We are partnering with NGOs and academic experts in this space and hope to have more to share in the future.”
Facebook said the tests are a part of its Redirect Initiative, which “helps combat violent extremism and dangerous organizations by redirecting hate and violence-related search terms towards resources, education, and outreach groups,” according to the company.
“For example, when people search on Facebook for terms related to white supremacy in the US, results are directed to Life After Hate, an organization founded by former violent extremists that provides crisis intervention, education, support groups, and outreach.”
Facebook says it’s partnered with organizations in the US, Australia, Germany, Indonesia and the UK to expand the Redirect Initiative.
However, several conservative figures quickly criticized the initiative, saying it could suppress free speech and target right-leaning perspectives.
Nick Freitas, a member of the Virginia House of Delegates, tweeted an image of one of the alerts and said, “Yes…actually I have a real concern that some leftist technocrats are creating an Orwellian environment where people are being arbitrarily silenced or banned for saying something the ‘thought police’ doesn’t like.”
Writer and conservative commentator Alex Berenson also slammed Facebook over the warnings.
“Either they’re a publisher and a political platform legally liable for every bit of content they host, or they need to STAY OUT OF THE WAY,” he wrote on Twitter. “Zuck’s choice.”
Conservative writer Ericka Andersen also hit out at the tech giant, calling its initiative “concerning.”
“No one needs your help defining an extremist, Facebook,” she said on Twitter.
Dan Gainor, vice president at Media Research Center, a right-wing media watchdog, also chimed in, saying that “#Extremism warnings from @Facebook are a sign of severe mental illness among wokesters.”
Ian Miles Cheong, a conservative Malaysian commentator who’s become known for weighing in on US politics, raised concerns, too.
“Nice to see Facebook going full Stasi/NKVD. Learning from the former East Germans who now advise leftist ‘anti-extremist’ organizations,” he wrote on Twitter.
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