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THREAD: Facebook has once again found itself at the center of a radicalized movement that ended in murder.
From white supremacist to boogaloo to militia groups, Facebook has served as a primary organizing mechanism, and Kenosha, Wisconsin, was no different.
From white supremacist to boogaloo to militia groups, Facebook has served as a primary organizing mechanism, and Kenosha, Wisconsin, was no different.
Just last week, Facebook announced that it was addressing violent domestic groups and militia on the platform
This week’s Facebook event from a Wisconsin militia group reveals how ineffective that effort really was https://about.fb.com/news/2020/08/addressing-movements-and-organizations-tied-to-violence/
This week’s Facebook event from a Wisconsin militia group reveals how ineffective that effort really was https://about.fb.com/news/2020/08/addressing-movements-and-organizations-tied-to-violence/
A Facebook Event organized by the group Kenosha Guard called on fellow militia members to take up arms and guard businesses from protesters:
“Any patriots willing to take up arms and defend our city tonight from the evil thugs?”
“Any patriots willing to take up arms and defend our city tonight from the evil thugs?”
The @Verge’s @russellbrandom notes that Facebook has removed the event and the group’s Facebook page – amid reports that a 17-year-old was charged in connection with a shooting that left two people dead at the demonstrations. https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/26/21402571/kenosha-guard-shooting-facebook-deplatforming-militia-violence
This isn't the first time Facebook events by a radical group have been linked to violence
A 2017 FB event for the white supremacist “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville was left active for weeks
The event ended in the murder of a peaceful protester https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/white-supremacist-groups-are-thriving-on-facebook
A 2017 FB event for the white supremacist “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville was left active for weeks
The event ended in the murder of a peaceful protester https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/white-supremacist-groups-are-thriving-on-facebook
Following Charlottesville, Facebook made multiple claims that it was addressing white supremacy on the platform.
But TTP found 153 FB pages for @splcenter- & @ADL-designated white supremacist groups
After our report FB quietly removed over 80% of them https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/white-supremacist-groups-are-thriving-on-facebook
But TTP found 153 FB pages for @splcenter- & @ADL-designated white supremacist groups
After our report FB quietly removed over 80% of them https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/white-supremacist-groups-are-thriving-on-facebook
It’s not just white supremacy that Facebook has failed to address
For months, TTP has investigated the boogaloo on Facebook and FB's efforts to combat it
But the company's slow and ineffective response has allowed the movement to persist on its platform. https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/facebooks-boogaloo-problem-record-failure
For months, TTP has investigated the boogaloo on Facebook and FB's efforts to combat it
But the company's slow and ineffective response has allowed the movement to persist on its platform. https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/facebooks-boogaloo-problem-record-failure
TTP first warned about Facebook boogaloo groups in April, documenting how members were using them to organize.
Following TTP’s report, Facebook told @letsgomathias it took down boogaloo groups & pages and would “enforce against any violations.” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/boogaloo-facebook-pages-coronavirus-militia-group-extremists_n_5ea3072bc5b6d376358eba98
Following TTP’s report, Facebook told @letsgomathias it took down boogaloo groups & pages and would “enforce against any violations.” https://www.huffpost.com/entry/boogaloo-facebook-pages-coronavirus-militia-group-extremists_n_5ea3072bc5b6d376358eba98
But in May and June, multiple boogaloo supporters were arrested in Vegas and California plotting or engaging in real-world violence.
The commonality between all of them was their membership in Facebook groups.
FB had not adequately addressed the problem. https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/members-facebook-boogaloo-groups-arrested-terrorism-related-charges
The commonality between all of them was their membership in Facebook groups.
FB had not adequately addressed the problem. https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/members-facebook-boogaloo-groups-arrested-terrorism-related-charges
On June 30, Facebook made an announcement claiming that it had removed a boogaloo network
The move came nearly a month after multiple boogaloo bois were arrested on counter-terrorism charges & weeks after boogaloo supporters murdered an officer in Oakland https://about.fb.com/news/2020/06/banning-a-violent-network-in-the-us/
The move came nearly a month after multiple boogaloo bois were arrested on counter-terrorism charges & weeks after boogaloo supporters murdered an officer in Oakland https://about.fb.com/news/2020/06/banning-a-violent-network-in-the-us/
Facebook’s spotty track record in removing these extremists, despite intense media attention on the issue and pressure from lawmakers, provides a window into Facebook’s deeper dysfunction policing radicalization on its platform. https://www.techtransparencyproject.org/articles/facebooks-boogaloo-problem-record-failure
TTP identified 110 new Facebook boogaloo groups that were created since June 30, when Facebook announced it was banning a “violent” boogaloo network. At least 18 of the groups were created on the same day as Facebook’s announcement and network removal.
After TTP’s report earlier this month, Facebook has once again failed to remove large national-level boogaloo groups.
Several now have thousands of members, and they’re once again organizing to take up arms in places like Wisconsin and Louisiana.
Several now have thousands of members, and they’re once again organizing to take up arms in places like Wisconsin and Louisiana.
The boogaloo supporters who have joined their brothers’ call to arms in Wisconsin have been involved in altercations that are then broadcast in the boogaloo groups that Facebook continues to allow operating on the platform with impunity.
Some boogaloo bois have claimed the shooter in Kenosha last night was one of their own, while others have suggested that his support of police means he’s not a boogaloo supporter.
Regardless of the alleged killer’s particular affiliation, he is being revered as a hero by the boogaloo bois – and memes identifying him as a king of their ideals are already circulating.
As @donie tells @andersoncooper, Facebook has deleted the event posted by the Kenosha Guard militia group, but the damage has already been done. https://twitter.com/donie/status/1298680541307338753?s=20
The events in Kenosha are yet another example of Facebook’s failure to adequately address radicalized movements & dangerous orgs on its platform.
The continued public relations announcements regarding one-off efforts do not address the platform’s role in amplifying violence
The continued public relations announcements regarding one-off efforts do not address the platform’s role in amplifying violence
A Facebook spokesperson told CNN that the company had removed the Kenosha Guard page bec it “violated the company’s policy on militia organizations.”
But a FB user shared images with TTP revealing that they reported the Kenosha Guard page -- FB said it didn't violate standards
But a FB user shared images with TTP revealing that they reported the Kenosha Guard page -- FB said it didn't violate standards
The screenshots show that this user reported the Kenosha Guard Facebook page specifically for its promotion of violence, a violation of Facebook’s policies.
Not only that, but the page was reported *after* the shooting. Facebook still determined it didn't violate standards
Not only that, but the page was reported *after* the shooting. Facebook still determined it didn't violate standards
Facebook’s response to CNN regarding violations of its militia policies was a stark contrast to what the company said in its report response.
It wasn't until after the event received widespread media attention that Facebook decided to take any action. https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/tech/facebook-kenosha-shooting/index.html
It wasn't until after the event received widespread media attention that Facebook decided to take any action. https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/26/tech/facebook-kenosha-shooting/index.html
A report just released by @verge @russellbrandom found that *multiple* users reported the Kenosha Guard event and were met with the same statement TTP saw: that it did not violate Facebook's Community standards https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/26/21403004/facebook-kenosha-militia-groups-shooting-blm-protest
On June 30, Senators @maziehirono @MarkWarner @SenatorMenendez wrote a letter to Facebook regarding the platform's continued failure to deal\\ violent groups
Facebook's failure to act on user reports in Kenosha shows that it can't be trusted by Congress. https://twitter.com/maziehirono/status/1278093398726135816?s=20
Facebook's failure to act on user reports in Kenosha shows that it can't be trusted by Congress. https://twitter.com/maziehirono/status/1278093398726135816?s=20
Failing to stop violence isn't Facebook's only broken promise -- they company has also told CNN @donie that it is removing content praising the Kenosha shooter.
Spoiler: The posts we highlight below praising the shooter are still active & gaining likes. https://twitter.com/TTP_updates/status/1298720228788977664?s=20
Spoiler: The posts we highlight below praising the shooter are still active & gaining likes. https://twitter.com/TTP_updates/status/1298720228788977664?s=20
