Facebook reportedly bracing for US election chaos with tools designed for ‘at-risk’ countries

Facebook is planning for doable chaos across the November third US presidential election with inside tools it’s used earlier than in countries like Sri Lanka and Myanmar, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The plans could embody slowing the unfold of posts as they start to go viral, altering the information feed algorithm to vary what content material customers see, and altering the foundations for what sort of content material is harmful and warrants elimination. They’re methods Facebook has beforehand utilized in so-called “at-risk” countries dealing with mass ethnic unrest or political bloodshed.

The tools would solely be used within the occasion of election-related violence or different critical circumstances, in response to the WSJ, however some workers on the firm stated they had been involved that making an attempt to decelerate viral content material may unintentionally conceal reliable political discussions.

Facebook’s dealing with of violent hate speech towards Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar a number of years in the past was extensively criticized. After a 2018 unbiased evaluation of the scenario, the social media large conceded it wasn’t “doing enough to help prevent our platform from being used to foment division and incite offline violence. We agree that we can and should do more.” It pledged to raised put together for future dangers.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg stated in a September weblog submit that the US presidential election “is not going to be business as usual.” He stated he was “worried that with our nation so divided and election results potentially taking days or weeks to be finalized, there could be an increased risk of civil unrest across the country.”

Platforms are bracing for pre-and post-election uncertainty within the US, after President Trump has repeatedly criticized mail-in voting, which many individuals are utilizing this election cycle because of the coronavirus pandemic. He’s additionally declined to say whether or not he would settle for the election outcomes if he loses.

Facebook stated final month that it will not settle for new political adverts every week earlier than the US election (however people who had already been permitted will proceed operating). It additionally added a “voter information center” on the high of Facebook and Instagram feeds, and plans to offer reside, official election outcomes when accessible through a partnership with Reuters. Facebook has stated it’s going to label any posts declaring untimely victory, and can take away posts with misinformation about COVID-19 and voting. And it plans to ban all US political adverts indefinitely after the November third election.