12 May 2009 | Author: J. Cave SEO Consultant

Facebook: on its way to a bad rep?

There are those of us that use Facebook to chat to friends, share photos and even take the occasional 'What kind of animal am I?'-style quiz. Then there are those that see Facebook as another online opportunity to spread word of their beliefs. Causing controversy this week, are those who chose to set up holocaust-denial groups.

Naturally, it's difficult for Facebook to monitor every single group that appears on the social networking site. However, when Facebook was asked to remove the groups, the social networking site refused.

The refusal to remove the anti-Semitic groups from Facebook sparked a wave of anti-Facebook criticism across the internet, much of it led by Texan lawyer Brian Cuban.

Speaking with Facebook staff, Cuban highlighted various anti-Semitic posts within various Neo-Nazi groups in an attempt to appeal to Facebook's conscience. Posts that suggest Jews are "snakes and liars" or that the Holocaust is "a series of lies" may be illegal in eleven countries but in the realm of Facebook the perpetrators appear to be facing no penalties.

Commenting on the controversial decision, Facebook spokesperson Barry Schnitt had this to say:
"The bottom line is that, of course, we abhor Nazi ideals and find Holocaust denial repulsive and ignorant. However, we believe people have a right to discuss these ideas and we want Facebook to be a place where ideas, even controversial ideas, can be discussed. Of course, we have some limits."

What those limits are is anyone's guess and sets minds wondering, just how bad, controversial and morally-questionable is the content that is deemed unacceptable?

Well, apparently it's breast feeding. Last December Facebook banned photos of breast feeding on the site. The decision to do so caused outrage amoung mothers or 'lactavists' as they refer to themselves as, but Facebook is holding its ground.

Facebook may have had its say, but for Cuban and fellow activists the issue is not settled. More than likely this is just the beginning of many similar problems as the ethical structures of the real world rally against those in the virtual.

Home | Careers | RSS | Contact Us | Newsletter

International sites: