Facebook Asks Every User to Flag Whether Posts Contain 'Hate Speech'

Facebook accidentally set a "hate speech" button live on its platform for a short period of time, a company spokesperson confirmed in a statement Tuesday. The button asked users: "Does this contain hate speech?"

The spokesperson said the company was conducting an "internal test" in an attempt to understand "different types of speech, including speech we thought would not be hate." They said a bug caused the button to launch publicly but it has since been disabled.

Facebook Vice President Guy Rosen explained on Twitter that the button was shown on posts regardless of their content but was "reverted" within 20 minutes.

I see @facebook is now in the business of policing "hate speech."

Nothing can go wrong here. pic.twitter.com/NELdzyoGe1

— Jason Howerton (@jason_howerton) May 1, 2018

Check out the new "hate speech" prompt by @facebook. We are truly doomed. pic.twitter.com/cr5rjpgKCQ

— Gad Saad (@GadSaad) May 1, 2018

Facebook just rolled out a new feature in which they now ask "Does this post contain hate speech?" on every single post in your feed. If you select "Yes" you are encouraged to provide feedback or "call local emergency services" if someone is in immediate danger: pic.twitter.com/effm7vzLQJ

— Far Left Watch (@FarLeftWatch) May 1, 2018