What’s the role of Facebook Malaysia, asks group that exposed ‘anti-liberal’ fake accounts
KUALA LUMPUR – The group that exposed the existence of the anti-liberal “jihadist” social media users collectively known as “No Nonsense Netizens” (N3) on Facebook has questioned Facebook Malaysia’s role in acting on fake accounts in the country.
The group, which calls itself Lingam and Nathan Associates (Associates), said it is “shocked” by assertions made by both Facebook Inc in the US and Facebook Malaysia in responding to its complaint on the fake accounts that have attacked “liberal” Malays and non-Muslim users.
Associates’ made this remark after receiving the reply from Facebook Inc yesterday and Kuala Lumpur-based Facebook Malaysia on Tuesday.
“What is the role of Facebook Malaysia if the services are operated and controlled by Facebook, Inc (in the US)?” the Associates asked when contacted by The Vibes.
“At a local level, who has control or authority over the content moderators?”
On Tuesday, Facebook Malaysia had denied any knowledge of or involvement in the activities of N3, which has launched a self-proclaimed crusade against moderates and liberals, in response to a complaint sent to it by Associates.
In a letter by its legal representative, Zaid Ibrahim & Co, Facebook Malaysia denied it had any knowledge of N3 and told the Associates it “does not own, operate, or host the Facebook service”, saying that it is operated by Facebook Inc.
Zaid Ibrahim & Co noted that Facebook Inc is a corporation organised and existing under the laws of Delaware in the United States, with California being the principal place of business, and is the entity with which “Facebook users in Malaysia have their contractual relationship”.
The letter was made in response to a complaint lodged by the Associates to Facebook Malaysia dated February 7.
The Associates allege that Facebook Malaysia had enabled or facilitated N3’s alleged misuse of the social media platform.
The letter to the Associates came just hours after The Vibes had reported on N3 on Tuesday.
Yesterday, Facebook Inc, through its Los Angeles-based legal representative White & Case, responded to Lingam and Nathan Associates by stressing its commitment towards safety and lawfulness.
“Facebook Inc is committed to fostering a safe and trusted community that encourages people to share content lawfully,” read the letter by White & Case sighted by The Vibes.
White & Case said Facebook Inc has investigated the allegations, and “appropriately actioned” any content that violated Facebook’s community standards.
“In addition, Facebook Inc has found no evidence of any affiliation between Facebook Malaysia or Facebook Inc and the N3 Facebook users referenced above, or that any enforcement actions were taken on their behalf.”
In light of this, the Associates questioned if Facebook Inc has any “agents” responsible for overseeing abusive usage in Malaysia.
“And if so, who has control or authority over the content moderators? And, is Facebook Malaysia an agent of Facebook Inc?” the group asked.
According to a report by technology site KL GadgetGuy in May 2019, while Facebook Malaysia’s operations in the country are low-key, the local office’s role in the region is ”to help businesses engage with mobile-first consumers”, suggesting that the outfit is focused more on companies rather than general Facebook users.
Proclaiming itself to be a group of “highly educated” and religiously conservative users, N3 had launched a self-styled crusade against moderates and liberal netizens, using offensive arguments to debate and counter their beliefs.
Some members of N3 are self-professed scholars in various fields, including religion.
The Associates noted that the heated “debates” would often end up with the Facebook accounts of legitimate users being suspended while the N3 member accounts would remain untouched, despite reports of abuse being lodged against the latter.
The Associates also believed there were “scandalous” and “abusive” conduct of people under the employment of Facebook, or contractors who moderate the platform.
However, it is understood that the claims have been investigated by Facebook, which found no evidence of its employees or contractors being affiliated with N3 or who have acted on behalf of the informal group. – The Vibes, April 1, 2021
