While Facebook has given a platform to the people to voice their opinion, many also have to grapple with its double standards. Some recent cases show that Facebook is trying to suppress the voice of sexual harassment victims.
Case -1
A former student of St Xavier’s College, Mumbai put a Facebook post about Rex Fernandes, a musician based in Mumbai on 25 July 2016. In the post, it was mentioned that Rex used to bother her by sending her obscene messages. She also pointed out that Rex had troubled her in college campuses. With the post, she also added screenshots of Rex’s message.
Many other women commented on the post expressing anger and shared similar stories about Rex. As proof, they also posted message screenshots in the comments section.
Facebook withdrew these posts after Rex’s brother reported them. The student posted it again on Facebook but it had lost all the relevant comments and screenshots.
Facebook removed the post again on 27 July, and this time it did not allow her to post or message anyone for up to 24 hours. After the Xavier student, three other women came forward and narrated their ordeal. They said they’ve been facing online harassment from Rex for a long time now.
Case 2
A similar incident happened with Jadavpur University students in Kolkata. Ekabali Ghosh, a student of Jadavpur University accused her classmate Ekalavya Chaudhuri of harassment and shared a post on Facebook which went viral. Thirteen students reported a case of sexual as well as online harassment against Ekalavya.
It was removed by Facebook after being shared a thousand times. It seems it is impossible to voice any real disagreement on Facebook as it will be systematically suppressed. But in this case, many took screenshots of Ekabali’s post and shared it, which made it viral on social media.
While Facebook’s ‘Community Standards’ disapprove of such posts, we hardly ever see derogatory posts by men on rape and violence against women being removed.
Also Read: Ekalavya, Repeat Offender? JU Faculty Failed to Act On Complaints
Why Should Women Tolerate Discrimination?
A Facebook group started in May called Blokes Advice has over 2 million members. Members of this group include only men who make fun of rape and share similar offensive posts. This secret group began in Australia. People came to know about the page after the feminist writer Clementine Ford posted a few screenshots of the group from their Facebook page.
Clementine has always criticised Facebook for its double standards. After confronting an internet troll, she was banned by Facebook for 30 days.
What Violates Facebook’s ‘Community Standards’?
Facebook calls the content “dangerous material, which promotes sexual violence or exploitation.”
Vulgar language, sex, gender or gender identity are attacking people. Because of the diversity of our global community of users to be mindful that they do not post to their community standards ‘Community standard’ violations.Facebook
According to Facebook, the site removes any content depending on their ‘Community Standards’, in an apparent effort to stop hate, bigotry, and discrimination.
Facebook’s discriminatory attitude towards women, however, begs the question: Are women not considered members of this ‘Community’?
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