DILG to meet with Facebook execs on closure of fake accounts

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Thursday said it will meet with Facebook representatives next week to discuss the takedown of fake pages and accounts linked to the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).

BOGUS Facebook says these are some of the pages of fake accounts it has takenndown for violating its standards. Some of them promote anti-activist sentiments.

“The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will meet with Facebook executives next week to discuss differences arising from the takedown of some PH-based FB pages and accounts without prior consultation and due notice,” the DILG said in a statement.

The DILG added that it hopes the meeting with Facebook will also help the government create solutions to fight fake news on social media.

“[Interior Secretary Eduardo] Año said the meeting will discuss how Facebook uses content-based restrictions. He also expected the two sides to come up with solutions on how social media can help the government fight fake news and disinformation,” DILG said.

READ: DILG urges Facebook to hold meeting with gov’t on shutdown of accounts

The social media giant previously took down several fake accounts and pages linked to the members of the AFP and the PNP, which is an attached agency of the DILG. The accounts targetted activists and critics, Facebook said.

Facebook stressed that the accounts were deleted not because of their content but because of their “coordinated inauthentic behavior.”

/MUF