Facebook to send content review contract workers home amid virus concerns

Facebook said it would work with its partners to send home all contract workers

Facebook spokesperson says the company was proactively removing 65% of hate speech before it was reported globally. PHOTO: REUTERS

Facebook said it would work with its partners to send home all contract workers who review content until further notice, as public health concerns due to the coronavirus outbreak rapidly increase.

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Facebook will ensure that all contract workers will be paid during this time, the company said in a statement on Monday.


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"With fewer people available for human review we'll continue to prioritise imminent harm and increase our reliance on proactive detection in other areas to remove violating content," it said.

Facebook also took down misinformation about China’s fast-spreading coronavirus, in a rare departure from its usual approach to dubious health content that is presenting a fresh challenge for social media companies.

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