Facebook commits to safe online environment

Facebook has expressed its commitment to improve user safety and security and take steps to protect its users, especially women and children, from internet abuse.

The social media giant highlighted the steps it has taken in this regard at a virtual briefing for journalists and media personnel yesterday afternoon.

Organised by Benchmark PR, the briefing was led by Amber Hawkes, head of Safety Policy (Asia-Pacific) at Facebook.

Speaking at the briefing, Amber said creating a safe environment where over two billion people can share and connect is core to Facebook's business model.

She said people would stop using their services if not protected.

Through a presentation, Facebook claimed that it spent more than $3.7 billion on safety and security last year, more than its entire revenue at the time of Initial Price Offering (IPO).

Currently, 35,000 people are employed at Facebook to protect user safety and security, and combined with the platform's Artificial Intelligence (AI) detection system, are capable of taking down 90 percent of harmful content before they are reported.

Facebook said its policies cover a wide range of safety issues on the platform. Notable issues being addressed include impersonation or identity theft, graphic violence, non-consensual sharing of intimate images, and child sexual exploitation.

The social networking platform gives users control over what they share, who they share it with, the content they see and experience, and who can contact them.

According to Facebook, it partnered with Bangladesh's health and ICT ministries earlier this year to strengthen and localise awareness about safety measures during the Covid-19 pandemic through its Information Hub.

This further included a nationwide campaign to disseminate reliable health messaging and information about social distancing, Covid-19 symptoms as well as a national helpline number.

A brief question-answer session followed the presentation, where the briefing hosts answered questions from journalists.

Amy Sawitta Lefevre, Facebook's emerging countries policy communications manager, was also present at the programme.