Facebook has indefinitely banned a Myanmar military group that staged a coup on February 1st, overthrowing the rightfully elected government. The group, named Tatmadaw, is also banned on Instagram as well, which is owned by Facebook.
In a statement, Facebook said, “We are banning the remaining Myanmar military (“Tatmadaw”) and military-controlled state and media entities from Facebook and Instagram, as well as ads from military-linked commercial entities.”
The social media giant says the risks of allowing such a group to continue existing on its platform are “too great” considering the “deadly violence” involved in the February 1 coup.
Facebook’s ban on the group will extend to other commercial entities linked to the military group. The company will block such entities from advertising on the platform.
Government ministries and agencies that provide essential public services will be exempted from the ban—for example, the Ministry of Health and Sport and the Ministry of Education.
Even though the military group currently controls the government.
“We are continuing to monitor the situation and will take additional measures if necessary to keep people safe,” the company said.
Facebook, Politics and Society
As one of the most popular social media platforms worldwide, Facebook’s role in society cannot be overstated. At the same time, like other social media platforms, it has its negative effects.
Recognizing its role in society, Facebook, in conjunction with other platforms, played a crucial role in clamping down coronavirus misinformation at the outset in early 2020.
Most recently, the company’s wrath has been felt by high political figures, including Ex-US president Donald Trump after indefinitely banning him following the attack on the US Capitol. Facebook’s supreme court is yet to decide Trump’s fate on the platform. Several pro-Museveni politicians were also banned on the platform ahead of the country’s general elections last month.
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