Facebook denies banning pages purely based on requests from governments

11 July 2019 10:02 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Facebook officials responsible for emerging markets yesterday denied restricting content and profiles or pages on the platform, purely based on the requests made by governments, while stressing that it adheres to the highest norms of international standards in processing such requests.

“We are very transparent in how we engage with governments and law enforcement agencies around the world. We have the same standardised process for all government and law enforcement agencies across the world.

The process adheres to the highest norms of international standards and it also adheres to our own commitments to human rights organisations and alliances,” a Facebook spokesperson affirmed.

He noted that the government could make such requests for information or removal of content from the platform through a legally empowered agency, such as the Sri Lanka Computer Emergency Readiness Team (SLCERT).

“If a person repeatedly violates our policies, depending on the severity of violations, we would remove that page or profile. Because we don’t want to create bad sour apples on the platform,” he added.

However, he said that Facebook sends a notification to that person informing that they have violated the Facebook polices, providing an opportunity to appeal.

“If they disagree with us, they can appeal to us. If they choose to appeal, it will go to an independent team for a second review. If that committee agrees on the violations, the profile or page won’t be restored, otherwise it will be restored with an apology,” he elaborated.

Popular local musician Iraj Weeraratne recently alleged that his anti-government sentiments had led to the suspension of the page, which had over 1.1 million followers.

The official noted that Facebook has only complied with 40 percent of the requests made by the Sri Lankan government in the recent past.

He noted that theses requests were assessed by its in-house legal experts as well as local legal experts.

“Once we get that assessment, if that violates the local policy but doesn’t violate our global community standards, we will restrict the availability of the content in the specific jurisdiction,” he said.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 11

Borat Thursday, 11 July 2019 10:28 AM

Good move

DillonDP Thursday, 11 July 2019 10:37 AM

Ita pathetic facebook wasted their valuable time for a bunch of baffoons

Nysa Thursday, 11 July 2019 11:14 AM

Exactly, giving people like Iraj undue attention only makes them more comfortable in meddling with things that are not their business.

Anmanpan Thursday, 11 July 2019 10:53 AM

Matter closed.

jaliya Thursday, 11 July 2019 11:36 AM

Iraj need to stop talking to individuals like RK who is accused of financial crimes, you destroyed your self and now talking rubbish.

I'M SRILANKAN Thursday, 11 July 2019 12:15 PM

Arrest Mark Zuckerberg and ask Iraj's fans to come forward and give complaints.

BuffaloaCitizen Thursday, 11 July 2019 12:27 PM

Looks like bankrupt musicians whose women have runaway with other men have a new occupation of accusing everything around them to cover up their failures including their libido.

redsox Thursday, 11 July 2019 02:58 PM

if youre a musician, be like one.

Lankan Thursday, 11 July 2019 03:24 PM

අහගත්තා නේද ? bad sour apple!

Dee Thursday, 11 July 2019 04:50 PM

Who exactly is this Iraj? Why all the publicity for a non entity?

Buvaneka Wijebahu Thursday, 11 July 2019 07:55 PM

Iraj is not a good person who promotes nudity, semi nudity and vulgarism, western values among our youth. Suspension MUST stay.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Facebook denies banning pages purely based on requests from governments

Comments - 11

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

23 year old youth ends up having his testicles removed

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

New Visa procedure implemented

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Wild elephants pull down 16 telephone poles

Middleman arrested for price gouging at Kalutara eatery

Bondholders’ agreement delay won’t hinder IMF third tranche payout: Dr. Coomaraswamy

Party leaders to shoot down MPs request for concessionary duty free vehicle permits

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings