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    21-Aug-2020

QAnon: Facebook takes action on conspiracy groups

 

BBC

 

 Facebook has removed or restricted thousands of groups and accounts sharing and promoting the QAnon conspiracy theory.

 
It is part of a new policy that aims to limit the risks to public safety posed by QAnon, "offline anarchist groups" and US-based militia organisations.
 
The company said that it had removed "over 790 groups, 100 pages and 1,500 ads tied to QAnon".
 
It also imposed restrictions on more than 1,950 groups and 440 pages.
 
More than 10,000 Instagram accounts associated with the movement have also been restricted.
 
QAnon is a conspiracy theory that believes US President Donald Trump is waging a secret war against a "deep state" network of paedophiles who are powerful government, business and media figures.
 
When asked his opinion on QAnon during a press conference, President Trump claimed not to know much about it, saying: "I understand they like me very much, which I appreciate", remarks which have been interpreted by some as tacit approval for the conspiracy.
 
What action has Facebook taken?
As well as targeting the QAnon conspiracy, Facebook said that they had also removed content from other "militia organisations and those encouraging riots", including some antifa (anti-fascist) groups.
 
It said it had growing concerns over groups which have "celebrated violent acts, shown that they have weapons and suggest they will use them, or have individual followers with patterns of violent behaviour".
 
Under the new policy, groups, pages and Instagram accounts associated with these movements will be removed if they discuss potential violence, "including when they use veiled language and symbols" associated with the movement.
 
Facebook will still allow people to post content in support of these groups and movements, although it will "restrict their ability to organise".
 
This means that these pages and accounts will not be recommended to users, the ranking of their content in newsfeeds will be reduced, and titles and hashtags associated with them will be limited in search results.
 
In addition, Facebook will ban the groups from placing adverts or selling products, and prohibit fundraising in their support.
 
 

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