The South African government made no requests to Facebook to restrict content on the social networking website in the second half of 2014, while it made just two requests for access to Facebook data, one of which was granted.
In the first half of 2014 the government also made two requests. Requests for information usually relate to valid criminal cases.
The information is contained in Facebook’s newly released Global Government Requests Report for the second half of 2014, in which it noted a slight increase in requests for information from governments around the world.
Facebook’s report is meant to improve transparency, it says.
The requests are divided into two categories: requests for account information and requests for the restriction of content.
According to the report, requests from governments increased from 34 946 in the first half of 2014 to 35 051 in the second half.
Once again, the US topped the list with 14 274 requests for data, of which 79,1% were granted. India was second at 5 473 requests, with 44,7% granted.
Facebook says that in the second half of last year, it restricted 9 707 pieces of content for violating local laws.
India and Turkey saw the most restriction of content at 5 832 and 3 624 items respectively.
Facebook global policy management head Monika Bickert says the social network is sure to deny requests that seem unreasonable.
“We will continue to scrutinise each government request and push back when we find deficiencies. We will also continue to push governments around the world to reform their surveillance practices in a way that maintains the safety and security of their people while ensuring their rights and freedoms are protected,” she says.
Meanwhile, Facebook has released “community standards protocols” regarding the type of information sharing it deems acceptable. This is divided into four elements: helping to keep users safe, encouraging respectful behaviour, keeping account and personal information secure and protecting usres’ intellectual property.
Facebook joins other technology giants such as Microsoft, Google and Yahoo in making available information on request for user information to governments. — © 2015 NewsCentral Media
