Facebook has disabled an anti-Islamic group called "I Hate Muslims in Oz" after the issue was brought to their attention by CNet's Chris Matyszczyk.Facebook's stance toward Holocaust-denying groups is more ambivalent. The company's terms of service prohibit content that is "hateful" or "threatening", and, according to Matyszczyk, Facebook does not consider simply denying that the Holocaust happened to be "hateful" or "threatening".
Facebook's Barry Schnitt clarifies the situation: "We disabled the 'I Hate Muslims in Oz' group a day or so ago because it contained an explicit statement of hate. Where Holocaust-denial groups have done this and been reported, we've taken the same action."
Although many consider Holocaust-denying to be "hateful" and "threatening" in and of itself, Facebook has no plans at the moment to ban groups that do it, unless they explicitly advocate hate. Matyszczyk notes, however, that Facebook's tolerance of Holohoax, one such Holocaust-denying group, reveals the company's disturbing double standard. Holohoax is quite clearly an anti-Semitic group, with wall posts such as "Jews are pretty good liars most of the time, but they tell so many lies they are bound to trip themselves up sometimes. Their exaggerations, half-truths, and outright inventions about the so-called 'Holocaust,' easily the most lied-about topic ever, are a good example."
As more and more employers are including analysis of prospective employees' online activities when making hiring decisions, it is likely that joining groups such as "I Hate Muslims in Oz" or those that deny the Holocaust will be taken into consideration. Schnitt notes, "There are a whole host of ignorant ideas that Facebook, as a communication platform, allows, even though they might hurt a [job] candidate's chances of getting a job here or at any number of other companies."
Although Schnitt is careful to portray Facebook as a neutral forum for the exchange of ideas, Matyszczyk is quick to point out that "[n]eutrality is a very, very difficult act to pull off. Currently, it balances on Facebook's own running definition of what is hateful and what isn't. It is a definition that clearly doesn't satisfy everyone."
I think that it is right to delete such groups, but FB have a job in their hands in determining what is hate and what is rant. I don't envy them.
Not saying Facebook did right or wrong, or that I agree with the anti-Muslim's OR the Holocaust deniers, I both think they're idiots. Just pointing out the sticky situations that you get into when you start doing this kind of stuff.
Not saying Facebook did right or wrong, or that I agree with the anti-Muslim's OR the Holocaust deniers, I both think they're idiots. Just pointing out the sticky situations that you get into when you start doing this kind of stuff.
When a group that is called himself "I hate muslim" is not free speech, its just plain hate and usually these type of groups do violence and terrorist acts as the guideline of their design.
facebook groups...not that it would be received well or anything, as most are
probably doing nothing remotely wrong (as their holy texts probably dictate!)
facebook groups...not that it would be received well or anything, as most are
probably doing nothing remotely wrong (as their holy texts probably dictate!)
Correction: as some religious group's holy books may dictate.
simply silencing these people only adds to their hate.
It's hear hear! Or were you beckoning him?
1. we have a lot of Muslim-just-by-name kind of people who know nothing about true Islam, and I can't do anything about it but to raise my children and educate my family and friends to know the difference.
2. the media mainly in the US... and I have no comments about this
Why is this one still around: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7989679495
Last edited by hotdog963al on 11 Jun 2009 - 12:18
Exactly. Why can't they see that they're being massive hypocrites. I've seen posts on YouTube as well, things like "die western pigs" and stuff, yet they completely fail to realise that they are using western technology to even get on YouTube. Makes me lol, really.
Because some people/places/religions just ain't bothered probably
All of those social networking sites have hate groups that hate anything, from the alphabet to Zebra's (that is an example of a to z so no looking for Zebra and alphabet hate groups).
I find it odd though how these social networking sites seem to pride themselves on good democratic values but remove one hate group and leave many others.
Well then I'm glad Facebook disabled it. Like Australia needs anymore **** like this ******* ******* saying **** about people!
I actually thought it was about this Oz.
jebus keep the swearing down its not like we can see it anyway
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7989679495
facebook is scared,thats the fact,everybody seems to be of something like this.
well, it's obvious! it's a jewish conspiracy
There is a fine line between expressing your own religion in comparison to threatening others. An anti-muslim group is like the KKK. If you like that, then go join it.
Yeah, one's a registered organization so they can spread hate and are protected by the silly laws, the other isn't.
yeah, I guess the KKK is pretty safe since it abides all the laws.
there are plenty of other 'i hate facebook' groups around still... yours must be doing something wrong
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