Advocacy group sues Facebook for failing to provide safe online environment
Because Facebook's terms of service are the same worldwide, RSF said it's considering filing similar complaints in other countries. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders has filed a lawsuit in France against Facebook, accusing the social network of contradicting its promise to provide a safe and "error-free" environment online.
The group, known by the initials RSF, said it filed the suit Monday in Paris. It accuses Facebook of "deceptive commercial practices" and says promises of a "safe, secure and error-free environment" in its terms of service are overrun by hate speech and false information.
RSF said the failures foster "hatred in general and hatred against journalists."
The suit says Facebook's terms of service say the platform can't be used to share unlawful, misleading, discriminatory or fraudulent information.
It also says Facebook fails its obligation under its Community Standards to "significantly reduce" disinformation, and a claim in a French advertisement to offer precise information to fight COVID-19.
RSF cites a November report from nonprofit First Draft that identified Facebook as a "hub of vaccine conspiracy theories" and a UNESCO report that called Facebook's the least safe platform.
In France, Facebook has 38 million users, 24 million of whom are daily users.
Under French law, a practice is considered deceptive if it's "based on false claims, statements or representations or is likely to mislead." The fine for the offense is up to 10% of annual sales.
Because Facebook's terms of service are the same worldwide, RSF said it's considering filing similar complaints in other countries.
Facebook has attempted to address misinformation by adding labels and links to questionable posts.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to appear before the U.S. Congress on Thursday to answer questions about the role of social media disinformation in the January 6 Capitol attack.
upi.com/7083729
Because Facebook's terms of service are the same worldwide, RSF said it's considering filing similar complaints in other countries. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo
March 23 (UPI) -- Advocacy group Reporters Without Borders has filed a lawsuit in France against Facebook, accusing the social network of contradicting its promise to provide a safe and "error-free" environment online.
The group, known by the initials RSF, said it filed the suit Monday in Paris. It accuses Facebook of "deceptive commercial practices" and says promises of a "safe, secure and error-free environment" in its terms of service are overrun by hate speech and false information.
RSF said the failures foster "hatred in general and hatred against journalists."
The suit says Facebook's terms of service say the platform can't be used to share unlawful, misleading, discriminatory or fraudulent information.
It also says Facebook fails its obligation under its Community Standards to "significantly reduce" disinformation, and a claim in a French advertisement to offer precise information to fight COVID-19.
RSF cites a November report from nonprofit First Draft that identified Facebook as a "hub of vaccine conspiracy theories" and a UNESCO report that called Facebook's the least safe platform.
In France, Facebook has 38 million users, 24 million of whom are daily users.
Under French law, a practice is considered deceptive if it's "based on false claims, statements or representations or is likely to mislead." The fine for the offense is up to 10% of annual sales.
Because Facebook's terms of service are the same worldwide, RSF said it's considering filing similar complaints in other countries.
Facebook has attempted to address misinformation by adding labels and links to questionable posts.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scheduled to appear before the U.S. Congress on Thursday to answer questions about the role of social media disinformation in the January 6 Capitol attack.
upi.com/7083729
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