Social-Media
Facebook says it's going to delete misleading statements on who sparked a wildfire in Oregon
Facebook would delete misleading allegations from its website that some organizations had purposely sparked wildfires in Oregon, according to Andy Stone, Director of Policy Outreach. The decision is consistent with Facebook's attempts to block information that could lead to immediate harm, Stone said on Twitter Saturday, adding that the site was taking steps after a law enforcement announcement that the allegations were asking local fire and police departments to redirect resources from firefighting and public safety, Stone tweeted. He did not say how many posts or pages may have been affected.
We are removing false claims that the wildfires in Oregon were started by certain groups. This is based on confirmation from law enforcement that these rumors are forcing local fire and police agencies to divert resources from fighting the fires and protecting the public. (1/2)
— Andy Stone (@andymstone) September 12, 2020
The Portland Division of the FBI tweeted Friday that comments that the extremists are lighting fire in Oregon are untrue and advised people to share details only from credible, official outlets. Conspiracy theories and rumors draw scarce money away from local fire and police departments operating around the clock to get these fires under control, FBI special agent Loren Cannon said in a statement.
Calls have been rife with unfounded internet reports that members of the loosely formed anti-fa left-wing opposition party have been arrested for sparking fires, a hoax that has been spread on social media by supporters of the Right-wing QAnon conspiracy theory.
Our 9-1-1 dispatchers and trained personnel are being overwhelmed with calls for clarification and enquiries about the False report that 6 Antifa supporters have been arrested for lighting fires in Douglas County, according to a Facebook statement from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities in Oregon warned Saturday that they were planning for a "mass fatality event" as the fires that killed at least 28 people since August and destroyed nearly 5 million acres along the western coast of the US left many people unaccounted for.
