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Updated 5.30pm
MORE THAN TWO-THIRDS of requests made by the Irish government to Facebook in the second half of the year resulted in some data being produced.
Of the 34 requests made between July 2014 and December 2014, 70.59% of them resulted in some data being produced and shared with the government. 34 users/accounts were requested during this period.
The number of requests made is down from the first half of the year (January – June 2014) where 54 requests were made and 50 users/accounts were involved. Of those requests, 61.61% resulted in some data being produced.
The figures are part of Facebook’s Global Government Requests Report for the second half of 2014, which shows the number of requests it receives from governments from around the world.
The company said it continues to see “an increase in government requests for data and content restriction” globally.
Clarifying guidelines
Alongside the data requests, Facebook has released a longer version of its community guidelines and clarify its position on issues such as hate speech, nudity and violent and graphic content.
No new policies or changes have been made to the community guidelines, with Facebook’s head of global policy product Monika Bickert telling Re/Code the company wanted to clarify its position on issues that may have been vague in the past.
Of the topics addressed, some nudity is allowed as long as it is for artistic reasons or for awareness campaigns, but will remove images that are pornographic or are “focusing in on fully exposed buttocks.” It also states that people use their “authentic name” when signing up to the service as it ensures its “community is more accountable.
Facebook has been criticised for its stance on a number of topics. Back in October, it apologised to drag queens and members of the transgender community for requiring them to use their real names or set up a separate page on the site. It was also criticised for removing breastfeeding images from the site but reversed its decision.
Facebook Community Standards from Facebook on Vimeo.
First published 10.30am
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They don’t need to request data, every bloody 2 weeks facebook do some form of update that makes all your data public anyway!
I think its only fair that if our info is being checked, we should be told by Facebook if it has been.
Nope because it would be the guards looking and if you did something wrong they will let you know when standing over you with a warrant in hand
You trust them Charles… Many wouldn’t…
The government should investigate all the fake accounts on the journal.ie every sort of animal on this site leaving all sorts of strange, in politically correct and abusive comments….. at least you can trust a talking duck like me…..
If government, or anyone asks for your account surely fb have to let that person know and the reason?
@mdmak
That’s very enlightening.
Hi Mr X. We just want to notify you in advance that your account details have been requested by the authorities
Regards Facebook.
Hi Facebook.
Thanks for that advance notice I will set up another fake account to carry on my grooming of children.
Regards
Mr. X
Bit of a dramatic way of pointing out that NO Facebook should NOT tell every person when there being investigated.
There are exact examples of these cases in the courts on a regular basis.
Thank Heavens for Social Media …..
I find facebook to be dangerous. Why idiots post personal stuff beats me. .wonder is it attention seeking ?
I don’t get why you have a Samsung photo in the article, that just means loads of poor people are gonna click into it
Remember folks… These are extra-judicial requests…
How clear is it that the government request is lawfully made?
Surely Sean Murphy anyone doing what you suggest would be reported by the people using fb,it would be obvious what they are doing.my question is to do with peoples opinions on subjects like the government, the gardai etc.
They would be bored rigid with mine…
And thank you, keep other comments to yourselves.
Mind, I do criticise them. My right I do think.
have your say