Close This website uses modern features that are not supported by your browser. Click here for more information.
Please upgrade to a modern browser to view this website properly. Google Chrome Mozilla Firefox Opera Safari
your legal news hub
Sub Menu
Search

Search

Filter
Filter
Filter
A A A

Facebook accused of fomenting Ethiopian violence

Publish date: 11 October 2021
Issue Number: 944
Diary: IBA Legalbrief Africa
Category: Security

An American whistle-blower who previously worked for Facebook has claimed that its lack of controls over harmful content is promoting ethnic violence in Ethiopia. Frances Haugen, a former Facebook product manager who was part of a ‘civic integrity’ team studying and proposing solutions to combat harmful practices on the site, gave evidence last week to the Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, Product Safety and Data Security of the US Senate. ‘My fear is that without action, divisive and extremist behaviours we see today are only the beginning. What we saw in Myanmar (formerly Burma) and are now seeing in Ethiopia are only the opening chapters of a story so terrifying no one wants to read the end of it,’ she said. A report on the allAfrica site notes that Haugen's appearance at the hearing followed coverage by The Wall Street Journal of internal Facebook documents showing that employees have been alarmed at how the site is being used in developing countries. Haugen said 87% of ‘integrity funding’ – the money Facebook spends on combatting misinformation – is spent on content in English, despite only9% of Facebook users being English speakers. In Ethiopia, ‘integrity systems’ were used for only two of six languages used. ‘It seems that Facebook invests more in users who make more money, even though the danger may not be evenly distributed,’ she added.

Full report on the allAfrica site

We use cookies to give you a personalised experience that suits your online behaviour on our websites. Otherwise, you may click here to learn more, or learn how to block or disable cookies. Disabling cookies might cause you to experience difficulties on our website as some functionality relies on cookie information. You can change your mind at any time by visiting “Cookie Preferences”. Any personal data about you will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.