On 25 Jully, 2018
Facebook has erased nearly 200 pages and 90 user profiles related to the so-called "MBL" (Movimento Brasil Livre - Brazilian Freedom Party). Although Facebook has not released the list of burned users, most of them are known to be connected to MBL.
As barking dogs shouting to the crowds, MBL entitles themselves as right-wing activist, and the movement gained prominence through an intense social media campaign. Gathering major support from the bulk of Brazilian middle-class, during the protests leading to the Dilma Rousseff's Presidential impeachment, anyone opposing to their MBL ideas was quickly labeled as left-wing.
Facebook argues that the pages and users burned violated the policies of authenticity and formed a "coordinated network" that had "the purpose of generating political polarization and spreading misinformation."
Facebook settled the rules to which all people must agree upon when creating a page or profile. The authenticity policies in question are present in the signed terms, and violating these rules can lead to account deletion. As we all may know, upon signing the terms of the agreement, Facebook users communicate their commitment to provide legitimate personal data when registering a page and to never engage in a non-authentic behavior.
Even if the registered accounts were based in true data (an argument put forward by MBL members) the spreading of fake news violated Facebook's conduct terms.
That is one of the main reasons behind the largest Facebook account-burning move under the umbrella of "Fake News War" to prevent abusive use of the social platform.
Especially, FB has proved itself to be a powerful tool to manipulate masses at the twin light of presidential elections, and the Brazilian one is just at the corner, going along next October 2018.
MBL members rebelled against Facebook allegations, claiming that they have not received any evidence of their violation of Facebook's policies. In their view, Facebook is undergoing political persecution to undermine right-wing parties. As of 25 July 2018, Brazilian official authorities have not positioned themselves on that matter.
Moreover, Judge Benedito from "Ministério Publico Federal" already requested a complete list of deleted accounts and a detailed justification within 48 hours. Indeed, there was no court order on the matter, only Benedito's request. To note is the fact that the prosecutor manifests himself publicly in social networks with positions aligned to the right-wing.
Facebook has just managed to write an unprecedented episode within three months of the Brazilian elections. Many ask if FB move was too bold, confusing "violation of terms" with blatant "engagement on censorship". The matter is being extensively debated not only in Brazilian media but all over the globe, given the possible outcomes of this aggressive policy.
In fact, such account-burns were already applied elsewhere in the platform, but always in much-diluted doses. What we saw there in Brazil's case have just reached up to the next level.
Is that an example of the size of what is to come in terms of Facebook arbitrary judgment? Was it a pure move backed by clear reasoning, or another sound censorship mistake.
Comment on what you think about this recent Facebook chapter. The bulk of the Novel is yet to unfold.
b.b.