Facebook: A closed book

9 Aug 2012, 6:32 pm   -   Source: Andy Park, SBS
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UPDATE: Facebook Australia is facing criticism over a lack of transparency in its operating polices, after a user-generated page which racially abused Indigenous people was finally taken down last night.

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UPDATE - 6.08pm: Facebook has emailed a statement to SBS via its PR company which doesn't directly address any of the questions SBS asked. It follows:

"We recognise the public concern that controversial meme Pages that Australians have created on Facebook have (sic) caused.

Facebook is a service devoted to helping people share and making the world more open and connected. We believe that sharing information, and the openness that results, invites conversation, debate and greater understanding.

At the same time, we recognise that some content that is shared may be controversial, offensive, or even illegal in some countries.

While we do not remove this type of content from the site entirely unless it violates our Statement of Rights and Responsibilities, out of respect for local laws, we may restrict access to content that violates local laws."

We note that the Australian Communications and Media Authority are undertaking an investigation of these Pages and we are engaged in a constructive dialogue with the Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner.

Today's story: Facebook Australia is facing criticism over a lack of transparency in its operating polices, after a user-generated page which racially abused Indigenous people was finally taken down last night.

The Australian Human Rights Commission labelled the page “vilifying” and SBS understands it has received complaints warranting an investigation.

Hundreds of people signed online petitions calling for the page’s removal, and the Australian Media and Communication Authority launched an investigation into “specific URLs that contain the online content noted in the SBS story”.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy weighed into the debate, saying he thought it should be taken down.

"We don't want to live by the same standards that Facebook does," Mr Conroy said.

"I think it’s an offence. It’s been reclassified but I think it should be taken down."

But Facebook, which urges its users and society to be more transparent, has refused to discuss the issue or its policies.

The company has declined several offers from SBS to comment on why the page was amended a day earlier to include “controversial humour” before it was finally removed.

They have also remained silent on specific questions SBS put to them yesterday:

1) Could you please explain how the posts on this Facebook page weren’t considered “hateful” as per your Statement of Rights and Responsibilities (SRR)?

2) This page was reported by a number of users – how many reports need to be received before FB takes action?

3) The page has now been removed – was it taken down by the user or by Facebook?

Some are calling for greater scrutiny of Facebook’s policies in reference to Australian law.

Stephen Blanks, secretary of the NSW Council for Civil Liberties, criticised the company's lack of transparency and its inconsistency in enforcing its own standards.

“The publisher has a social and corporate responsibility to remove inappropriate material, and in this case, Facebook’s inaction was unsatisfactory,” Mr Blanks said.

“Facebook needs to look at its policies and make them available to users and the public and make them enforceable."

Earlier this week, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott reaffirmed the Coalition’s desire to repeal section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, labelling it the “hurt feelings law”.

Mr Abbot also openly criticised the ruling on Andrew Bolt’s racial discrimination case.

“Abbot is wrong. The reason Bolt was prosecuted was that it was outside the racial vilification act,” Mr Blanks said.

David Cake from Electronic Frontiers, a group that campaigns against internet censorship, said that it's essentially up to Facebook.

"They need to put their own methods in being responsive to user complaints before we have to use legal authority," Mr Cake said.

"And Facebook does have complaint mechanisms where if people complained they responded," he said.

"Maybe they didn't respond the way people wanted them to in the first place for instance then that's the sort of question that's been raised but they certainly had mechanisms in place and people use them and they responded.

"I would hope that some self regulation would be the best way to proceed on these things," Mr Cake said.

Another issue arising from coverage of the Facebook page was a media outlet's naming of the minors alleged to be responsible.

Mr Blanks said the decision to publish their names was questionable.

“It’s not appropriate. There are reasons to protect minors, both before and after legal proceedings, even if no criminal investigation has been announced,” he said.

Facebook , Andy Park SBS

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Your Comments

Well done Conroy

Mona - from Australia, 9 months ago

"We don't want to live by the same standards that Facebook does" Facebook surely lives by American business standards & ethics & that in many cases has shown to be, a lack of ethics, profit at any cost. Facebook is big business. Look at the young teenagers using it today & know this is a Big Deal! Facebook want the big bikkies apparently without the responsibility & it's nice to see Conroy earning his.

Sir

Mark Taylor - from Adelaide, 10 months ago

Big bloody deal!

Facebook is not altruistic 'social network'

John - from Sydney, 10 months ago

Facebook is not about transparency or connecting people, it's about MONEY! Anyone who thinks it some altruistic 'social network' is truly delusional.

Facebook is not altruistic 'social network'

John - from Sydney, 10 months ago

Facebook is not about transparency or connecting people, it's about MONEY! Anyone who thinks it some altruistic 'social network' is truly delusional.

Don't let up SBS

Michael - from Perth, 10 months ago

Thankyou for asking these questions on our behalf.. I wanted to ask the same things but there seems to be no avenue for contact!! Don't let up- Facebook should be clear about things like this. It's a requirement that you either enter your phone number or send a photo of your ID to even sign up now, but there is no number to call or email address to contact when something serious needs addressing? Not good enough in my opinion!

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