Facebook exempts 5.8 million people from moderation rules

Facebook does not apply the same moderation rules to ordinary individuals, according to internal documents consulted by our colleagues at the Wall Street Journal.to the highest profile people on its platform. It looks like the social network has installed a program called Cross Check or XCheck.

This program lists personalities who have evaded Facebook’s moderation rules. In total, 5.8 million Internet users is exempt. Some personalities are completely free to break the rules. Others may post content deemed illegal while waiting for an actual moderator to handle the matter.

Facebook is aware of the problems caused by its system

This secret program allows celebrities, politicians, athletes, activists and high-profile journalists to post content that violates Facebook regulations. For example, for a while some personalities like Donald Trump Sharing information that is determined to be fake news. As part of this whitelist, Facebook also allowed Brazilian football player Neymar to post photos of a woman who accused him of rape. Secondly, the photos were deleted from the platform.

“We do not enforce our policies and standards for a select few members of our community. “Unlike the rest of our community, these people can violate our standards without facing any consequences.”, explains an internal Facebook report. The control states: “We don’t actually do what we say to the public.”.

However, the social network suggests that this exemption system is used in the following cases: a reduced handful of decisions. Facebook is clearly aware of the potential problems this system creates. whitelists “It creates numerous legal, compliance and legitimacy risks to business and harms our society.”It also provides an internal report.

In reaction, Facebook spokesman Andy StoneHe reacted on Twitter: “We know that enforcement of our rules is not perfect and there are trade-offs between speed and accuracy. We have new teams, new resources and are working on a process overhaul.”explains Andy Stone.

Source : Wall Street Magazine