Facebook briefly 'disables' security whistleblower blog

For one day, a “whistleblower” blog detailing security issues on Facebook found its account virtually banned, after the social networking giant flagged it as “abusive.”

 

Administrators of WordPress-based “Facebook Privacy and Security” said the blog was flagged as “abusive content,” and was prevented from spreading news, opinion and advice.

 

“We were also informed that any content shared from our Facebook page Privacy and Security Guide had been removed from elsewhere on the site.  We tried posting our Page to our own walls but were shown the same message, which flagged this blog as the spammy content,” the blog said.

 

Oddly, the blog said it had not been contacted by Facebook directly on the matter.

 

It said it can only theorize for now that the flagging was part of Facebook’s automated process to fight spam and scams on its platform.

 

But the problem appeared to be resolved as of Friday (Manila time), after many users came to the rescue and flagged the blog as “not spam.”

 

A message on the blog’s Facebook page said Facebook had “lifted the ban” on it, and thanked everyone who has given his or her time to report this issue (https://www.facebook.com/GuideForPrivacy).

 

On the other hand, a separate article by computer security firm Sophos noted the blog had uncovered security issues such as Facebook’s own help center being overrun by spammers.

 

“It’s not just the folks behind the blog who can’t post links to their site, of course. All Facebook users appear to be blocked at the moment from sharing links to the site, despite there not being any clear indication as to what can be considered abusive on the site,” it said.

 

Sophos added this was not the first time Facebook has suspended online communities which have been critical of Facebook’s security.

 

Earlier this year, scam-exposers at The Bulldog Estate found themselves shut down by Facebook, a decision eventually reversed after the story caught the attention of the media.

 

“It was therefore, somewhat fitting that the newly-banned blog sought assistance from The Bulldog Estate to share the news of its suspension with its followers,” it said.

 

“Let’s hope that the ban is the result of carelessness on Facebook’s part rather than an attempt to stifle free speech,” it added. — TJD, GMA News