Facebook cracks down on groups, pages and ads associated with QAnon, a right-wing conspiracy theory that falsely claims there is a "deep state" trial against President Donald Trump and his supporters.
On Wednesday, the world's largest social network announced it had shut down 790 groups, 100 pages and 1,500 ads related to conspiracy theory. This shows that social media websites are stepping up their efforts to combat false information even though they are not criticizing enough to address an issue. In July, Twitter In addition, more than 7,000 QAnon accounts have been closed for violating the rules.
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Facebook has come under fire for not doing enough to slow the spread of the QAnon conspiracy theory. The Guardian reported in August that QAnon groups on Facebook are "growing rapidly". NBC News also reported, citing internal Facebook documents earlier this month, that QAnon groups on Facebook have millions of members. Meanwhile, Facebook is under increased pressure to fight hate speech on its website after thousands of companies stopped advertising on its website in July as part of a campaign organized by civil rights groups.
The social network said it was taking further steps to limit QAnon's reach. It blocked 300 hashtags on Facebook and Instagram, the photo service it owns related to conspiracy theory. It also restricts more than 1,950 groups and 440 pages on Facebook, and 10,000+ QAnon-linked Instagram accounts.
Facebook already has rules against incitement to violence and a policy against what Facebook calls "dangerous people and organizations". The company said it is expanding that policy to "target organizations and movements that have demonstrated significant public safety risks" but do not meet the criteria to be considered a "dangerous organization", which Facebook would ban.
"While we allow users to post content that supports these movements and groups, we will limit their ability to organize on our platform as long as they do not otherwise violate our content guidelines," Facebook said in a blog post. The company announced it would remove accounts, pages, and groups discussing potential violence, including those that use "disguised language and symbols". Accounts that don't meet the bar for removal will not be included in Facebook's suggestion for users which groups to follow. You will be ranked lower in the news feed, restricted in search results and excluded from buying ads and fundraising campaigns.
At a press conference at the White House Thursday, Trump said he didn't know much about the QAnon movement.
"I understand that they like me a lot and I appreciate that. I hear it is becoming more popular," he said.
Facebook has also taken action against militia organizations such as Antifa. The company removed more than 980 groups, 520 pages, and 160 ads from the social network related to these organizations. On Instagram, the company has restricted more than 1,400 hashtags for these groups and organizations.