Facebook on Wednesday announced its plans to remove any content found to be in violation of the policy it has formulated to check hate speech in view of elections in four states and the Union Territory of Puducherry.
Facebook is now taking several measures, including reducing the distribution of content deemed to be hate speech.
It cited experiences from the earlier elections.
Facebook is now taking steps to enhance civic engagement, combat hate speech, limit misinformation, and remove voter suppression.
It will also temporarily reduce the distribution of content from accounts that have repeatedly violated the company’s policies.
Content violating Facebook’s policies will be removed and distribution will remain reduced until a proper determination is made.
The first phases of staggered elections in West Bengal and Assam were held on March 27. Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Puducherry will go to the polls on April 6. The election results will be declared on May 2 following the conclusion of the remaining seven-phase polls in West Bengal and two more rounds of polling in Assam.
India is among the biggest markets for Facebook and its group companies WhatsApp and Instagram. As per data, India has 53 crores WhatsApp users, 41 crores Facebook users, and 21 crores Instagram users.
Facebook, which counts India as its biggest market with 400 million users, said it has invested in a proactive technology to detect and reduce the distribution of content in violation of the policy. It added the social media firm is also deploying technology to identify new words associated with hate speech.
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