The “suggested friends” function on Facebook helped connect thousands of Isil extremists

February 8, 2022| techpros| 0 Comments| 4:58 am

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Through its “suggested friends” feature, Facebook has helped thousands of extremists connect with one another

Extremists are linked through Facebook’s friends feature.

According to a study, Facebook’s “recommended friends” feature has helped connect thousands of radicals.

Already under fire for failing to remove terrorist content, the social media behemoth is now accused of deliberately connecting jihadists throughout the world, helping them to form new terror networks and attract new recruits.

Users with radical Islamist views were routinely exposed to one another using the “recommended friends” feature, according to researchers who examined the Facebook activity of 1,000 followers of the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant in 96 countries.

Facebook uses advanced algorithms to link people with similar interests. The site captures personal information automatically, which is then used to route users to others with whom they would want to interact.

Terrorists can use the site to contact and interact with supporters if there are no effective checks on what information is provided.

A new study, the findings of which will be released in a Counter Extremism Project paper this month, shows the extent to which the feature is assisting Isil members on Facebook.

After making contact with one active extremist on the site, Gregory Waters, a report author, was besieged with ideas for pro-Isil pals.

Within hours of clicking on non-extremist news reports on an Islamist revolt in the Philippines, his colleague Robert Postings was swamped with friend suggestions for dozens of extremists.

Mr. Waters stated, ” “This study has exposed Facebook’s ineptitude or unwillingness to deal effectively with extremist information on its platform. It’s inexcusable that its own algorithm is encouraging the propagation of this terrorist organization on its website.”

According to a Facebook representative, “Terrorists are not welcome on Facebook. We work hard to guarantee that the site is not used by terrorists or terror groups, and we remove any content that glorifies or encourages terrorism. We have invested millions in both people and technology to detect and remove terrorist information, and we will continue to do so.”

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