Washington Post Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg recently defended the company’s decision to keep the site Infowars on its platform, a prominent right-wing outlet known for spreading conspiracy theories and baseless information. Zuckerberg said in an interview published by Recode on Wednesday that Facebook has a responsibility to curb the viral spread of hoaxes and blatant misinformation. But he maintained that Facebook should not ban publishers for spreading false claims, a position he described as “too extreme.” “The approach that we’ve taken to false news is not to say, ‘You can’t say something wrong on the internet,’” he said. “Everyone gets things wrong, and if we were taking down people’s accounts when they got a few things wrong, then that would be a hard world for giving people a voice and saying that you care about that.” Facebook’s relationship with Infowars has come under heightened … [Read more...] about Why Zuckerberg says Facebook won’t ban Holocaust deniers
Facebook suspends another data-analytics firm for potential policy violations
Facebook, still dealing with fallout from the scandal over user data improperly obtained by consulting firm Cambridge Analytica, has suspended another data-analytics firm over possible policy violations. Facebook said it has temporarily suspended the firm, Crimson Hexagon, while it looks into whether it violated data-sharing policies. Facebook was responding to an inquiry from the Wall Street Journal, which reported that Crimson Hexagon had deals to analyze Facebook data for clients including several U.S. governmental agencies and a Russian organization with Kremlin ties. Facebook said that based on its investigation so far, Crimson Hexagon did not obtain any Facebook or Instagram information inappropriately. Facebook said the analytics company is cooperating with the probe. H/T: Read more from NBC. NewsOK highlights articles of interest from selected websites to increase the scope of commentary and coverage available to readers. Readers are linked back to the source of the content. … [Read more...] about Facebook suspends another data-analytics firm for potential policy violations
Niagara Falls Police use Facebook to identify assault suspect
Niagara Falls Police identified an assault suspect from his Facebook page early Saturday and are seeking him for questioning. Officers responded to the RTR Breakfast Unlimited Grocery and Deli on Highland Avenue, where a 19-year-old Main Street woman told them she and a friend had been accosted by a large man immediately after they walked into the store around 12:15 a.m. She told police the man asked, "What are you doing here?", made a vulgar comment, punched her in the mouth and shoved her into a glass counter, which broke. He then fled in a vehicle parked nearby. The victim refused treatment at the scene. She told police that she knew the man from Facebook as a person who had "snitched" on her father regarding a past shooting incident. … [Read more...] about Niagara Falls Police use Facebook to identify assault suspect
Guest editorial: McGeachin’s Facebook debacle
From the Lewiston Tribune Former state Rep. Janice McGeachin, R-Idaho Falls, says she believes that “our country should celebrate diversity.” Then why does the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor welcome the support of those who don’t? Idaho Reports’ Seth Ogilvie was the first to pick up on a thread of Facebook posts that began last week with McGeachin highlighting columnist Chuck Malloy’s observation about President Donald Trump’s popularity in Idaho. “He is keeping promises he made to the voters. …” McGeachin said. Next came this post from Bob Jackson: “I’m proud to be white again!” A woman who believes “our country should celebrate diversity” would not say: “Thank you Bob.” But McGeachin did. A woman who believes “our country should celebrate diversity” would not remain silent when Robbie DeLeon raised red flags. “Janice McGeachin,” DeLeon posted, “Why should … [Read more...] about Guest editorial: McGeachin’s Facebook debacle
Boston analytics firm suspended by Facebook
NEW YORK — Facebook said Friday that it has suspended Boston-based analytics firm Crimson Hexagon while it investigates how it collects and shares Facebook and Instagram user data. Facebook has been facing increased scrutiny over how third-party firms use its data since news broke in March that data firm Cambridge Analytica improperly accessed user data. Mark Zuckerberg addresses lawmakers in April. Facebook is investigating how its user data is shared. Bloomberg photo by Andrew Harrer Search photos available for purchase: Photo Store → The Wall Street Journal first reported that Facebook had suspended Crimson Hexagon. The newspaper says among the firm’s clients is a Russian nonprofit with ties to the Kremlin. “We don’t allow developers to build surveillance tools using information from Facebook or Instagram,” said Ime Archibong, Facebook’s vice president of product partnerships. “We take these allegations seriously, and we … [Read more...] about Boston analytics firm suspended by Facebook