MESOP MIDEAST WATCH : ZUCKERBERG EXPELLS KURDS

Facebook discusses list of ‘dangerous’ individuals, organizations featuring Kurds

Rebaz Ali RUDAW – 14.10.2021 -ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – A leaked document compiled by Facebook has revealed that the company considers mentions of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and 15 other affiliated individuals and organizations in posts as “dangerous” and warranting possible removal.

The hundred-page internal document published by the Intercept contains the names of over 4,000 organizations, political parties, and individuals that are flagged by the social media company as “dangerous.”

There are 16 mentions of groups and individuals affiliated with the PKK in the document, most notably the armed group itself and the Free Life Party of Kurdistan (PJAK), as well as several other Kurdish organizations and individuals.

In an email interview with Rudaw, Facebook clarified their policy over who and why people ended up on the lists.

“We have rules prohibiting terrorists, hate groups or criminal organizations from using our platform and remove content that praises, represents or supports them whenever we find it,” a Facebook spokesperson told Rudaw, saying they have legal obligations related to US sanctions that guide their our Dangerous Organizations policies.

The social media mogul say it has over 350 specialists focused on implementing their policy.

“It should be noted that there is of course, no universal definition of terrorism among researchers, intra-government agencies, and certainly not between governments,” said the company spokesperson. “Our definitions were developed in close partnership with leading researchers and experts, and have a strong focus on off-platform instances of violence.”

Rudaw: Sakine Cansizs was assassinated in Paris in 2013. Why is she still in that list?

Facebook company spokesperson: Sakine Cansizs is a founding member of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK). The PKK is designated by the United States as a Foreign Terrorist Organization. As we make clear in our Community Standards, under our Dangerous Individuals and Organisations policy, we do not allow entities designated by the United States government as foreign terrorist organisations (FTOs) or specially designated global terrorists (SDGTs) to use our platforms. Under this policy we also ban their leadership and prominent members. In addition, we do not allow content that praises, supports or represents designated individuals or groups, this includes historical figures.

Why so much focus on Kurdish individuals and entities both in Iraq and Turkey?