Facebook Ban On White Nationalism Goes Into Effect, Shuts Down Several UK-Based Profiles

Facebook Ban on White Nationalism Goes Into Effect, Shuts Down Several UK-Based Profiles

Facebook on Thursday shut down profile pages for several UK individuals and groups associated with far-right views, for allegedly spreading hateful messages via the social network

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 18th April, 2019) Facebook on Thursday shut down profile pages for several UK individuals and groups associated with far-right views, for allegedly spreading hateful messages via the social network.

The social media giant announced its ban on the support and representation of white nationalism, the hateful treatment of people based on race, ethnicity or religion, in late March. The company said the ban would go in effect a week later and would include its Facebook and Instagram services.

According to the Financial Times news outlet, Facebook shut down pages associated with the far-right British National Party (BNP), the nationalist English Defence League organization, the fascist National Front and Britain First parties and the Knights Templar International militant Christian group.

The ban also includes Nick Griffin, the former leader of the BNP, and Jack Renshaw, a far-right activist.

Facebook found that these parties and individuals violated the company's existing Dangerous Individuals and Organizations policy, which prohibits anyone proclaiming a violent mission from having a presence on their websites.

Additionally, the new ban now extends to individuals who share, quote or promote any of the material spread by hate-groups.

"Posts and other content which expresses praise or support for these figures and groups will also be banned," the company said, as quoted by the news outlet.

The social media giant's decision to ban white nationalism came in the weeks after the gruesome terror attack in Christchurch, New Zealand, during which a man, supporting white nationalist views, gunned down 50 people in two mosques and livestreamed the incident on Facebook. The public outcry following the shooting questioned Facebook as to why there were no tighter content restrictions in place that could have flagged the shooter's hateful content and possibly prevented the tragedy.