Facebook Suspends Netanyahu Campaign Chatbot Over Hate Speech Violation
Facebook temporarily suspends an automated chatbot on Benjamin Netanyahu's official page for spreading hateful messages about Arab politicians. The social network enforces a 24-hour ban after determining the bot violates hate speech policies.
Facebook suspends a chatbot operated by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's official page after the automated program spreads a message claiming Arab politicians want to annihilate citizens. The social network issues a 24-hour suspension for the bot, citing a clear violation of its hate speech policies. Facebook also discovers that the automated messaging system misuses the platform by contacting people outside of permitted time periods.
The controversial pop-up message appears as part of an online campaign by Netanyahu's Likud party to prevent the formation of a left-wing government that includes Arab-Israeli lawmakers. Ayman Odeh, the head of the Arab Joint List party, reports the chatbot to Facebook and strongly condemns the incendiary language. Odeh welcomes the subsequent suspension and credits direct action with Facebook for prompting the quick removal of the harmful content.
The Likud party attempts to deflect the backlash by blaming a campaign worker for an unauthorized mistake. A party statement insists that Netanyahu never sees, approves, or agrees with the violent rhetoric and claims the prime minister demands immediate removal upon learning of the message. Netanyahu personally distances himself from the controversy during a radio interview, reiterating that he does not support the chatbot's statements.