Mark Zuckerberg assured Angela Merkel his company is making steps in countering the spread of extremist content over the social network.
A bright day @UN HQ in NYC for Private Sector Forum w Ban Ki Moon, Angela Merkel, Mark Zuckerberg & @U2's Bono pic.twitter.com/ZmsNkNUA9G
— Harry Verhaar (@Harry_Verhaar) September 26, 2015
The head of the German government and the Facebook CEO were overheard over hot mics — live microphones — via a live broadcasting on the United Nation website on the sidelines of the UN development summit in New York this Saturday.
Mark Zuckerberg and Angela Merkel at #UNPSF2015 @UN #GlobalGoals #UNGA pic.twitter.com/fbfo7J1Ds2
— Syed Mahmood Kazmi (@SMahmoodKazmi) September 26, 2015
Merkel addressed Zuckerberg on the issue of hate speech, a recent hot topic in Germany. and the Facebook CEO answered dubiously.
“We need to do some work,” Zuckerberg said.
“Are you working on this?” Merkel asked persuasively.
“Yeah,” was the reply from Facebook’s founder.
The start of the luncheon cut off the broadcast.
Mark Zuckerberg, H.E Ban Ki-moon & H.E Angela Merkel on 1 Table, that will be great:) #UNGA pic.twitter.com/JFYIUkco9L
— فهد جعارة (@Fahedjaarah) September 26, 2015
The Chancellor seems to be concerned about combating hate speech on social media. She has recently commented on the issue to a local German newspaper.
“When people stir up sedition on social networks using their real name, it’s not only the state that has to act, but also Facebook as a company should do something against these [people],” Merkel told Rheinische Post earlier in September.
Facebook then reportedly responded it is set to improve the way it deals with xenophobic comments on its German website.
