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Facebook Recognizing that it allows people to share information about how to illegally immigrate or be smuggled into the United States, he said he crafted the policy to give them a chance to seek asylum and prevent them from trusting traffickers.
The company made the admission in a private letter to the Arizona Attorney General. Mark Brnovich. Mr. Brnovic stunned by the revelation and wrote a letter late last week Justice Department. he He asked US Attorney General Merrick Garland to launch an investigation into the social media giant and find a way to “actively encourage it and stop it from facilitating illegal entry.”
“Facebook“The policy of allowing posts promoting human trafficking and illegal entry into the United States to reach its billions of users on a regular basis seriously undermines the rule of law.” Brnovic Wrote. “The company is a direct facilitator, and therefore exacerbating the disaster that occurred on Arizona’s southern border.”
he this summer he sent a letter expressing his concerns Facebook About its use by smugglers during the Biden border surge.
In a lengthy response, the tech company said it was trying to remove drug trafficking content or posts that “promote human trafficking services”, but added that people are free to post information about illegally crossing borders.
“We allow people to share information on how to enter a country illegally or request information on how to smuggle,” said William Castleberry. FacebookState vice president for public policy.
said Facebook He talked to “human rights experts” and thought that some illegal immigrants would try to seek asylum, a right under international law. Mr Castleberry also said he hopes the company’s information sharing will help some immigrants sneak into the country rather than turn into “human traffickers”.
Mr. Brnovic, inside her letter Justice Department, said Facebook seemed to equate human trafficking and human trafficking, although they were different crimes. One involves moving people, often at their own will, in defiance of the law, while the other is forced labor and often ends in forced labor or sexual exploitation.
Facebook‘ The asylum defense is also striking.
In other contexts, the company doesn’t seem to make exceptions for postings of illegal activity such as 3D-printed firearm plans, even if the plans help victims of domestic abuse or stalking.
The Washington Times reached out Facebook He asked for clarification on his policies but received no response.
Mr. Brnovic became interested Facebook after that her The office tried to publish information on the fight against human trafficking. he said Facebook blocked posts.
he said it was “amazing” Facebook It has made it easier to publish a how-to for illegal immigration than a state law enforcement department publishes resources to combat exploitative criminal behavior.
Facebook He said he was trying to limit searches for human trafficking and blocking ads for smuggling services.
“If human trafficking posts are detected, it is our policy to remove the content and deactivate the account of the user who posted it,” Mr Castleberry said. “Our policy of disabling user accounts after only one violation of our human trafficking content policy is among our strictest penalties.”
He said users will be able to report content they believe has crossed boundaries, and staff can review the content to decide what to drop and what to block. He said the goal is to capture offensive posts through automated scanning before users flag them.
This includes scanning for information “related to human trafficking and illicit drugs.”
“While our enforcement efforts are not perfect – and there is more work to be done – we have taken strong steps to identify and remove content that promotes human trafficking and drug trafficking,” the company executive said.
Mr. Brnovic said her letter Justice Department These assurances were insufficient. he wanted Facebook“paper tiger” policy.
Although it is the federal government’s job to enforce immigration laws, he He said Arizona could go after the traffickers. he said her office follows cases where sex traffickers advertise Facebook.
Mr. Brnovic published Facebook Article on the Attorney General’s website.
NS Facebook said the vice president her letter that he disclosed confidential business information. he Asked Mr. Brnovich’s office to limit distribution and warning Facebook if someone requested it.
Facebook‘s disclosures are likely to add to the company’s overall distress. Liberals accuse the company of fueling right-wing conspiracy theories, and conservatives are angry at the platform’s censorship decisions.
Whether it is or not Justice Department There will be actions against the company. The department did not respond to a request for comment for this article.
Social media has reshaped migrant smuggling techniques. Immigrants are responding Facebook In ads in Central America, smuggling organizations recruit US-based drivers on Snapchat, and drivers and immigrants connect via GPS pin locations posted via WhatsApp.
Telegram, TikTok and Instagram were also used, according to the database of smuggling cases maintained by The Washington Times.
owned by WhatsApp FacebookThe most frequently cited app by smugglers, according to The Times’ database.
Cartel scouts use WhatsApp to direct drivers to pickup trucks, send updates on Border Patrol movements, and suggest which routes are likely to be successful. The Times encountered cases where smugglers used WhatsApp to get extra payments from families before releasing immigrants.
Social media posts also help create waves of illegal immigration. Immigrants who arrive in the United States and are caught and released frequently post online about their achievements, encouraging their friends and family to do the same.
“I have never met an immigrant without a modern cell phone, a smartphone, fully connected to the world of social media and providing live-time intelligence on where, when and how to get there. Todd Bensman, a national security officer at the Center for Immigration Studies, told The Times this year.
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