Reporters without Borders sues Facebook over disinformation, hate speech

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has filed a lawsuit against Facebook in France over hate speech and false information, the global media watchdog said in a statement on Tuesday.

RSF said that in a lawsuit filed with the public prosecutor in Paris on Monday, it accuses Facebook of allowing large-scale proliferation of hate speech – notably against journalists – and false information despite promises to provide a safe online environment.

“Using expert analyses, personal testimony and statements from former Facebook employees, RSF’s lawsuit demonstrates that … it (Facebook) allows disinformation and hate speech to flourish on its network … contrary to the claims made in its terms of service and through its ads,” RSF said.