Facebook ordered to take down anti-Semitic page

[Behind the Aegis]

Facebook is under fire from the Anti-Defamation League about a page titled "Jewish Ritual Murder." The group, which battles anti-Semitism and racism, has ordered the social network to remove the page.

"The 'Jewish Ritual Murder' page on Facebook perpetuates age-old anti-Semitic propaganda, and it should be removed immediately," ADL national director Abraham H. Foxman said in a statement. "It is profoundly offensive, has no socially redeeming value, and adds nothing to any legitimate marketplace of ideas."

The page in question hasn't had much action from users. It only has a handful of likes, 267, and a few posts -- the last of which was added nearly two years ago. The page accuses Jewish people of being involved in ritual murder and doesn't substantiate these claims.

Facebook is very clear about its terms of service. Each abuse complaint the social network receives is reviewed by an employee to see if community standards are being violated. In order to be removed, a page must have language that attacks an individual or group with hate speech. Posting inaccurate or false information doesn't violate Facebook's community standards.

more: http://news.cnet.com/8301-1023_3-57618430-93/facebook-ordered-to-take-down-anti-semitic-page/

[hr]

The irony of the article is funny.

[cvoogt]

1. umm

which judge ordered this? The page is reprehensible and Facebook should 100% remove it... but.. "ordered" ?

[Behind the Aegis]

2. That's what's so funny.

The "journalist" is the one making the claim it was "ordered" by the ADL to take the page down. It wasn't.

[davidpdx]

3. This is the part that is truly funny...

Facebook is very clear about its terms of service. Each abuse complaint the social network receives is reviewed by an employee to see if community standards are being violated. In order to be removed, a page must have language that attacks an individual or group with hate speech. Posting inaccurate or false information doesn't violate Facebook's community standards.

and sad at the same time.

Because it's such bullshit. The truth is they very rarely remove anything. It sounds like in this case they had no choice. There is some sick sick shit on Facebook. Don't get me wrong, I like Facebook and use it. I just have very little tolerance when nasty crap gets posted on it.

[DavidDvorkin]

4. Facebook is quick to remove pages by atheists

when theists object to them. They're much slower with stuff like this.

[Chan790]

5. I've personally complained about this page.

Facebook said after my repeated badgering it's not offensive or libelous. (Their use of "libel" therein being a faux pas I did not fail to miss.)

Sadly, as others have affirmed, I'm not surprised by this...as I've mentioned before, I'm involved with an organization that finds and reports child pornography and exploitation on Facebook...and we have to fight tooth and nail to get that removed even when it not only violates their TOS, it's also illegal. Likewise, I've had them tell me there were no violation on death threats against the President right up until the moment those threats were sent to the US Secret Service.

Facebook has a long history of bending over backward and sticking its collective metaphorical fingers in their ears and shouting "la-la-la-la-la-la! Can't hear you!" to avoid policing the content on their site by their own published content standards.