In Front Of UK Parliament, Antigone Davis Says Facebook Does Not Amplify Hate Speech On Its Platform

Antigone Davis says Facebook never amplifies hate speech. (photo: youtube screenshot)

JAKARTA - Facebook's head of global security, Antigone Davis, told UK lawmakers on Thursday, October 28, that Facebook Inc's Algorithm has been degrading rather than promoting polarizing content. But he also added that the US company would welcome effective government regulation.

Governments in Europe and the United States are struggling to regulate social media platforms to reduce the spread of harmful content, especially to young users.

The UK is leading the charge by filing legislation that could fine social media companies up to 10% of their turnover if they fail to remove or limit the spread of illegal content.

Secondary legislation that would hold company directors liable for the offence could be proposed if the measure is unsuccessful.

Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen told the same committee of lawmakers on Monday that Facebook's algorithms were pushing extreme and divisive content to users. Read more

Antigone Davis of Facebook denied the allegations. "I don't agree that we are reinforcing hatred," Davis told the committee on Thursday.

"I think we're trying to pick up a signal to make sure we take down content that's divisive, for example, or polarizing," he told parliament.

He said he can't guarantee users won't be recommended hateful content, but Facebook is using AI to reduce its prevalence to 0.05%.

"We are not interested in reinforcing hate on our platform and creating a bad experience for people, they will not come back," he said. "Our advertisers won't let that happen either."

Davis said Facebook, which announced last Thursday it would rebrand as Meta, wants regulators to also contribute to making social media platforms safer, for example in eating disorder research or body image.

"Many of these are social issues and we want regulators to play a role," he said. He also added that Facebook would welcome regulators with "proportionate and effective enforcement powers".

"I think criminal liability for directors is a pretty serious step and I don't believe we need it to take action," Davis said.