shot-button
Maharashtra Elections 2024 Maharashtra Elections 2024
Home > Technology News > Facebook purges over 18 million pieces of fake harmful Covid 19 content

Facebook purges over 18 million pieces of fake, harmful Covid-19 content

Updated on: 21 May,2021 10:50 AM IST  |  New Delhi
IANS |

The social network removed these many pieces of content from the the start of the pandemic to April this year.

Facebook purges over 18 million pieces of fake, harmful Covid-19 content

This picture has been used for representational purpose

As Covid-19 ravages countries like India and Brazil, Facebook said it has removed more than 18 million pieces of content from its main platform and Instagram globally for violating its policies on Covid-19 related misinformation and harm. The social network removed these many pieces of content from the the start of the pandemic to April this year.


"We're also working to increase vaccine acceptance and combat vaccine misinformation," the company said in its Community Standards Enforcement Report Q1'. The social media giant Facebook on Wednesday expanded its Covid-19 Announcement -- a tool for the health departments of states and union territories to share essential coronavirus related updates -- in India.


According to Guy Rosen, VP Integrity at Facebook, prevalence is one of the most useful metrics for understanding how often people see harmful content on its platform. Prevalence of hate speech on Facebook continues to decrease.


Also read: Journalist, activist, arrested under NSA for FB posts that cow dung won’t cure Covid-19

"In Q1, it was 0.05-0.06 per cent, or 5 to 6 views per 10,000 views. We evaluate the effectiveness of our enforcement by trying to keep the prevalence of hate speech on our platform as low as possible, while minimising mistakes in the content that we remove," Rosen said. In Q1, Facebook took action on 8.8 million pieces of bullying and harassment content, up from 6.3 million in Q4 2020.

It also took action on 9.8 million pieces of organised hate content, up from 6.4 million in Q4 2020 and 25.2 million pieces of hate speech content, compared to 26.9 million in Q4 2020. On Instagram in Q1, the company took action on 324,500 pieces of organised hate content, up from 308,000 in Q4 2020, and 6.3 million pieces of hate speech content, compared to 6.6 million in Q4 2020.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK