Facebook launches fresh clampdown on 'dangerous users'
Facebook has removed a fresh batch of ‘dangerous users’, deemed to have stepped beyond the pale by maliciously spreading fake news and right wing extremism, as it steps up efforts to get its house in order.
Facebook launches fresh clampdown on dangerous users
Falling foul of the clampdown are the likes of former Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulous, InfoWars founder Alex Jones and Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan who are among a range of prominent far-right figures, conspiracy theory advocates and anti-Semitic individuals to be silenced.
Confirming its move against the controversial figures Facebook said in a statement: “We’ve always banned individuals or organisations that promote or engage in violence and hate, regardless of ideology,” the company said in a statement.
"The process for evaluating potential violators is extensive and it is what led us to our decision to remove these accounts today."
The ban covers all Facebook platforms, including Instagram, with the social media firm notifying the individuals concerned in advance of its action – allowing individuals a brief opportunity to redirect their followers to other channels.
Infowars had already been subject to a Facebook ban but had evaded the blackout by reposting content across a series of unofficial pages, all of which have now been closed down.
Facebook's hardline stance follows a call by the World Federation of Advertisers for big tech platforms to accept moral responsibility for the content they host by actively disrupting the spread of hate speech, fake news and extreme videos.
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