The issue reportedly began at around 4am (GMT), and resulted in the network’s search suggestions feature – which usually ranks search phrases based on their relevance and popularity to each individual user – suggesting “unpleasant results.”
Users expressed their anger and shock at the suggested results on other social media platforms.
Same here. That is DISTURBING. What the hell???????
— Lisa 🇺🇸❤🇺🇸 (@Lisa_Lisa_NJ) March 16, 2018
FB can you please explain why it is that when I type “videos of” in the search bar the first topic is child pornography?? What the hell? We’re done!!!
— TMcC (@MccallumTanja) March 16, 2018
“As soon as we became aware of these offensive predictions we removed them. Facebook search predictions are representative of what people may be searching for on Facebook and are not necessarily reflective of actual content on the platform. We do not allow sexually explicit imagery, and we are committed to keeping such content off of our site,” Facebook said in a statement.
READ MORE: FBI Warns Facebook Users Against Spreading Child Porn Video
A Facebook survey also drew criticism last week, after it was deemed inappropriate by users. Facebook subsequently apologized and admitted its mistake and poor judgement.
“We run surveys to understand how the community thinks about how we set policies. But this kind of activity is and will always be completely unacceptable on FB. We regularly work with authorities if identified. It shouldn’t have been part of this survey. That was a mistake,” vice president of Facebook, Guy Rosen, said.
