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Screenshot via Ask.fm

Ask.fm is moving its HQ to Ireland

The controversial website says that they’ve updated their safety policies.

THE CONTROVERSIAL ASK.FM website which allows users post anonymous questions to others is to relocate to Ireland according to the Financial Times.

 

The Financial Times reports that Ask.fm’s move to Ireland comes after the Latvian-based firm was bought out by the company that owns Ask.com in August. Ask.com is headquartered in Dublin and it is planned that Ask.fm will move to these offices.

The website been the subject of particular criticism both in Ireland and abroad after a number of teenagers who died by suicide did so after after being cyberbullied on the site.

PastedImage-41470 Screenshot via Ask.fm Screenshot via Ask.fm

Donegal teenager Erin Gallagher (13), who died in 2012, was bullied online including through Ask.fm. Her 15-year-old sister Sharon Gallagher also died by suicide a number of months later.

A Business Insider report from last year said that at least nine teenage suicides were linked to the website.

But Ask.fm has said that it has updated its policies and terms of services in the wake of criticism.

The site’s CEO says that, although they have not removed the ability of users to ask questions anonymously, they have “provided new and enhanced information” to users about how they can block anonymous questions and report problematic content.

The Financial Times also reports that Ask.fm will appoint a a “law enforcement affairs officer” based in Ireland.

Helplines

  • Console 1800 247 247 – (suicide prevention, self-harm, bereavement)

  • Aware 1890 303 302 (depression anxiety)

  • Pieta House 01 601 0000 or email mary@pieta.ie - (suicide, self-harm, bereavement)

  • Teen-Line Ireland 1800 833 634 (for ages 13 to 19)

  • Childline 1800 66 66 66 (for under 18s)

Read: Ask.fm founder on bullying: “It is not about the site” >

Read: Suicide prevention charity tells teens to seek help after Erin tragedy >

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14 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Alan Ball
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 1:04 PM

    Updated their safety features?….. the point of ASK FM is not and never will be user safety.

    107
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    Mute Lisa O Brien
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 1:04 PM

    I really thought this site was gone, its dreadful and unnecessary, i don’t get it! Encourages bullying!

    88
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    Mute Denis Reidy
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 1:16 PM

    Good, i have a few issues with them. Now i only have to go to Dublin to see the faces behind this site of s**e. A lot of parents here and in Uk have issues to discuss.

    60
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    Mute BevinArmageddon
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 10:58 PM

    how many teenage suicides do you think can be attributed to Facebook?

    11
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    Mute cosmological
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 1:00 PM

    Steer clear.

    46
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    Mute Stephen Carroll
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 1:18 PM

    Any word on how many jobs are being created or when they are looking?

    46
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    Mute Jason Bourne
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 7:28 PM

    Why don’t you just ask?

    4
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    Mute Stephen Carroll
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 10:50 PM

    I am asking

    10
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    Mute bopter
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    Nov 5th 2014, 2:01 PM

    According to LinkedIn ask.fm has 11-50 employees, mostly based in Riga.

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    Mute Rangertwozero
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 2:38 PM

    Stir clear

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    Mute Ed Ryan
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    Nov 5th 2014, 1:40 PM

    I have quite literally no idea what Ask.FM is or what it does but if we’re banning or objecting to sites that facilitate bullying &/or intimidation then why not Facebook or Twitter? There are countless examples of children and for that matter adults being bullied and threatened on Facebook yet we welcome their investment in Ireland with open arms.

    Why is Ask FM different?

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    Mute bopter
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    Nov 5th 2014, 2:03 PM

    Because clueless politicians like Charlie Flanagan think that blocking ask.fm from hiring some people in Ireland will fix everything.

    3
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    Mute Paul Lane
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 7:47 PM

    Please print out details of where ASK will be located so we can visit them and tell them how much we love and appreciate the people who are working for them.

    3
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    Mute BevinArmageddon
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    Nov 3rd 2014, 11:07 PM

    What about Facebook and Twitter?Numerous suicides are linked to those sites to. It’s too easy to focus all the blame on Ask.fm. Online bullying happens every hour of the day across numerous sites. Parents should be doing more to be aware of the issues their teenagers might going through instead of blaming the Internet when it’s too late.

    15
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