Facebook has updated its bullying and harassment policy, with the goal of protecting users from widespread harassment and intimidation.
Facebook has said that it will now eliminate organized activities of mass harassment that target those who are at danger of offline harm.
They’ll also take down any anything on personal surfaces that could be considered mass harassment of any individual, such as direct messages in inboxes or comments on personal profiles or postings. In addition, they will need more information or context in order to implement this new policy.
Furthermore, Facebook will deactivate state-linked and antagonistic networks of accounts, Pages, and Groups that collaborate to harass or silence people, such as a state-sponsored organization that uses closed private groups to organize mass posting on dissident profiles.
Politicians, journalists, celebrities, and creators all use Facebook and Instagram to interact directly with their fans, according to the platform.
“We’re constantly attempting to find the correct balance between safeguarding them from abuse while yet allowing open discussion about them on our apps.” In a blog post, Facebook stated, “Our bullying and harassment policy distinguishes between public figures and private persons to promote freedom of expression and legitimate public conversation around those in the public spotlight.”
The following will now be removed from Facebook:
• Severe sexualizing content
• Profiles, Pages, groups, or events dedicated to sexualizing the public figure
• Derogatory, sexualized photoshopped images and drawings
• Attacks through negative physical descriptions that are tagged to, mention, or posted on the public figure’s account
• Degrading content depicting individuals in the process of bodily functions
In updating their policies, Facebook consulted a diverse group of global stakeholders, including free speech advocates, human rights experts, women’s safety groups and our Women’s Safety Expert Advisors, cartoonists and satirists, female politicians and journalists, LGBTIQ+ community representatives, content creators, and public figures.
Source: Facebook