In a blog post on Wednesday, Facebook said it that conversations with civil rights groups and academics has lead to the decision to ban hate groups from the social media platform.
“Today we’re announcing a ban on praise, support and representation of white nationalism and separatism on Facebook and Instagram, which we’ll start enforcing next week,” Facebook wrote in the post. “It’s clear that these concepts are deeply linked to organized hate groups and have no place on our services.”
If users search using terms associated with white supremacy, they’ll instead be taken to a page for Life After Hate, a nonprofit that helps people flee from hate groups, NBC News reports.
Previously, Facebook has banned white supremacy, but is now expanding that policy to white nationalism and white separatism.
“Going forward, while people will still be able to demonstrate pride in their ethnic heritage, we will not tolerate praise or support for white nationalism and separatism,” Facebook said.
Rashad Robinson, president of the advocacy group Color of Change, is thrilled about Facebook’s new policy. “Facebook’s update should move Twitter, YouTube, and Amazon to act urgently to stem the growth of white nationalist ideologies, which find space on platforms to spread the violent ideas and rhetoric that inspired the tragic attacks witnessed in Charlottesville, Pittsburgh, and now Christchurch.”
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