Facebook tests alerts to see if your friends are becoming 'extremists'

Under pressure from lawmakers and rights groups to see extremism on its platform, Facebook is testing an alert that asks users whether or not they think their friends are getting extremists. Facebook confirmed the test after social media users posted screenshots of such alerts on Twitter.

"Are you concerned that somebody you recognize is becoming an extremist?" reads the screenshot of a pop-up notice from Facebook. Another alert warning the users said, "you may are exposed to harmful extremist content recently". Both alerts included links to “Get Support”.

Facebook is now signposting help if you think a friend is becoming an extremist 😳

h/t @disclosetv pic.twitter.com/7L5B0UORzj

— Matt Navarra (@MattNavarra) July 1, 2021

Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone said during a Twitter exchange that the alerts were a neighborhood of the company's Redirect Initiative to combat violent extremism by redirecting hate and violence-related search terms towards resources, education, and outreach groups which will help. The social media giant said that the corporate is running alittle test within the us as a pilot for a worldwide approach to stop radicalisation.

"This test is a component of our larger work to assess ways to supply resources and support to people on Facebook who may have engaged with or were exposed to extremist content, or may know someone who is in danger", press agency Reuters quoted a Facebook spokesperson as saying. "We are partnering with NGOs and academic experts during this space and hope to possess more to share within the future", the spokesperson added.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has been questioned multiple times during US Congressional hearings over the company’s actions to combat extremism on its platforms, especially after Epiphany riots when supporters of former president Donald Trump entered the Capitol and tried to prevent the Congress from certifying Joe Biden's victory within the 2020 presidential election.

Through the test, Facebook was identifying both users who may are exposed to extremist content and users who had previously been the topic of Facebook's enforcement, the corporate said.

The Redirect Initiative is predicated on Facebook’s “Get Help” search based modules together with the Redirect Method, evolved to suit Facebook and Instagram. When Facebook users look for terms associated with racism within the US, results are directed to 'Life After Hate', an organisation founded by former violent extremists that provide psychotherapy , education, support groups, and outreach.