Meta implemented a recommendation from the Oversight Board to remove an exception that allowed users to post a person's residence address as long as it was "publicly available."
Although Meta will continue to enable users to submit their own addresses, it will not follow the Board's advice to allow other users to reshare them.
Meta is responding to the Oversight Board's policy advisory opinion for the first time.
Publicly Available Private Home Addresses Will No Longer Be Shared on Meta
In response to the Oversight Board's recommendations, Meta has agreed to amend several of its doxxing guidelines. In June 2021, the company asked the Oversight Board to assist shape its regulations, describing the policy as "significant and difficult," and the board responded in February with 17 recommendations for the company, on which Meta has now commented, Engadget reported.
Engadget noted that Meta is free to ignore policy proposals from the Oversight Board, but it is compelled to reply to each recommendation separately, in contrast to choices about whether specific postings should be removed or kept up.
Despite the fact that Facebook and Instagram already have rules prohibiting users from sharing someone's home address, Meta implemented a recommendation from the Oversight Board on Sunday, April 10, to remove an exception that allowed users to post a person's residence address as long as it was "publicly available." This includes any addresses that have been published in five or more news outlets or that have been made public records. This exception will be lifted "before the end of the year," The Verge reported.
Meta's response came nearly a year after the tech giant sought advice from the Oversight Board on its handling of private residential information.
According to Benzinga, although Meta will continue to enable users to submit their own addresses, it will not follow the Board's advice to allow other users to reshare them.
The Verge noted that Meta is responding to the Oversight Board's policy advisory opinion for the first time.
Additional Information Regarding Meta's Response
The Board advised Meta to create a "special channel" to handle doxxing reports as well, but Meta declined. Meta said that it is actively establishing new ways for users to obtain support and that it already links with over 850 organizations that victims may contact for aid, such as the National Network to End Domestic Violence in the U.S., reported by The Verge.
Furthermore, Meta said that it will not take action against posts that include photographs of the outside of private residences unless "the property depicted is the focus of a news story" and is "shared in the context of organizing protests against the resident."
The Verge also mentioned that Meta has not fully committed to implementing tools that make it easier for users to report a privacy violation. According to the company, it is now testing a method to make the "Privacy Violation" reporting option more "prominent" rather than scrolling through two menus and searching for it.
On the other hand, it will also allow users to share the exterior of publicly-owned residences belonging to "high ranking officials," such as heads of state or ambassadors, as well as organize protests at these locations.
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