Facebook hampers DIY COVID-19 mask makers
Facebook hampers DIY COVID-19 mask makers
Occurred: March 2020
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Facebook threatened to ban organisers of DIY mask-making efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a public outcry.
The social media platform removed posts and threatened to ban organisers of DIY mask-making efforts on the basis that they allegedly violated community standards on misinformation and health-related content.
The platform said it aimed to prevent the spread of false information about COVID-19 and ensure that users were not promoting unverified health practices.
The action sparked a backlash from users who were actively trying to contribute to mask production, as well as from public health advocates, researchers and media commentators.
Following the outcry, Facebook acknowledged its mistake and stated it would allow such posts, emphasising the importance of community support in health crises.
Facebook content moderation system
Operator: Facebook users
Developer: Facebook
Country: Global
Sector: Health
Purpose: Moderate content
Technology: Content moderation system; Machine learning
Issue: Ethics/values
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/05/technology/coronavirus-facebook-masks.html
https://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/349524/facebook-apologizes-for-inadvertently-hampering-ho.html
https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20200405/23414344241/content-moderation-is-impossible-facebooks-attempts-to-block-mask-gouging-took-down-diy-face-mask-instructions.shtml
https://techcrunch.com/2020/03/06/facebook-face-masks-coronavirus/
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Type: Issue
Published: October 2024