Facebook Removes Myanmar Army’s Facebook Page
Coup Leaders Violated Policies on Violence
Facebook is cracking down on Myanmar’s military following the coup that toppled its elected government. Engadget reports that Facebook has removed the main page (True News Information Team) for the military, known as Tatmadaw, for “repeated violations” of community rules that prevent inciting and coordinating violence.
The social network did not say if a particular incident prompted the response, but it came hours after police killed two protesters.
The company banned army chief (and now coup leader) Min Aung Hlaing and other senior officers in 2018 and banned hundreds of pages promoting violence that same year.
Facebook also slapped the Myanmar military with multiple restrictions since the coup. It limited the reach of the Tatmadaw page on disinformation, removed pro-coup posts alleging election fraud, and prohibited government agencies from requesting content removal to
This may have a limited effect. Myanmar’s military has tried numerous measures to quell pro-democracy protests, blocking Facebook in the country and shutting down Internet access Many of the people who might most appreciate Facebook’s actions might not even have access to it Critics would point out that the military was violent from the start and that Facebook could have taken action earlier.
Even it is clear that Facebook strives to avoid the inaction and ignorance that have helped fuel hatred against Rohingya in Myanmar.
The message is sent that governments are not above the rules of misinformation and violence, despite concerns that Facebook may be overly cautious in pulling material.