Backlash hits Facebook over new ‘excessive content’ warnings

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Facebook’s newly launched warnings about “extremist content” have sparked a backlash from those worried that the warnings represent a social media crackdown on politically unwelcome conversations.

Facebook’s pop-up campaign, released on Thursday, includes messages to some users telling them that you have been “recently exposed to harmful extremist content” and asking if they are “concerned that someone you know is becoming extremist.” “Get Support” page.

“Violent groups try to manipulate your anger and frustration. You can act now to protect yourself and others,” it says.

Among those concerned about Facebook’s latest efforts to counter “false information” is Colorado Rep., who said he received a warning on his page. There are Republican lawmakers like Lauren Boebert.

“Facebook just warned me that I may have been exposed to extremist content and asked me to report everyone I know, who I know to be extremist,” Ms Boebert said. “I have over 200 colleagues to report.”

Others, including Kentucky Republican Representative Thomas Massie, did a survey of the tech giant, adding sarcastic remarks. frames Facebook added it to their profile photo with the message “Don’t Expose Your Friends to Excessive Content”.

Mr Massie said Facebook “run out of posts from my friends to show me after filtering content about vaccine reactions, alternative Covid treatments, election investigations and ultra-patriotic programs.

“One of my moderate democrat friends told me a long time ago, when there were moderate democrats, ‘The definition of extremist is someone who is perfectly consistent,'” Mr Massie said. “I admit I’ve been accused by Facebook this week.”

Other critics have responded by accusing Facebook of acting as the “Ministry of Truth” and “thought police” or creating playful Facebook pages with names like “Now This Is Some Harmful Excess Content.”

“I have a real concern that some left-wing technocrats have created an Orwellian environment where people are arbitrarily silenced or banned because the ‘thought police’ say something they don’t like,” said Del Nick Freitas, a Virginia state Republican.

Colorado Republican Representative Ken Buck tweeted: “Big Tech is acting like Big Brother.”

Facebook specification popups as a test under Orientation Initiative that “helps combat violent extremism and dangerous organizations by directing search terms related to hate and violence to resources, education and outreach groups that can help”.

“This test is part of our larger work to evaluate ways to provide resources and support to people who may have been or may have been exposed to extremist content on Facebook, or know someone at risk,” a Facebook spokesperson told Reuters. We are partnering with NGOs and academic experts in this field and hope to share more in the future.”

Blaming Clinton, Juanita Broaddrick blasted Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg for a warning she received on Fox News presenter Tucker Carlson for “exposure to extremist content” for sharing a post from the satirical Babylon Bee site.

“Hey, Zuckerberg……that’s ignorant. This came to light after Tucker posted the Babylon Bee tweet about him. What the hell??” Ms. Broaddrick wrote on Facebook.

Babylon Bee post shared by Miss Broaddrick cuff: “’We Are Not Spying On The NSA’ Insists When Tucker Carlson’s Toaster Sounds Muffled.”

Not surprisingly, Babylon Bee weighed With a post titled “Facebook Warns Anyone Who Participates in the 4th of July Fireworks That They May Be Subject to Extremist Activity.”

Alex Berenson, author of the “Untold Facts About COVID-19” series, shared a message from a Facebook follower on his post about teacher unions – “It’s time to pull and get our taxes out of the system and pay weekly.” wages for teachers” – triggered an alert.

“Yes, I am extremist. An anti @Facebook extremist,” tweeted Mr. Berenson. “Who do they think they are? Either they are a publisher and a legally responsible political platform for any content they host, or they should STAY OUT OF THE WAY Zuck’s choice.”

on Facebook in May initiated “Take stronger action against people who repeatedly post misinformation on Facebook” campaign.

“We’re making sure that fewer people see misinformation in our apps, whether it’s false or misleading content about Covid-19 and vaccines, climate change, elections or other topics,” Facebook said in a May 26 post.

The Washington Times took to Facebook for comment.

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