In 2018 U.N. human rights investigators said that Facebook played a key role in spreading hate speech that fueled violence in Myanmar. Facebook has said it is working to block hate speech.
A request, filed on behalf of The Gambia on June 8 with the U.S. District Court for the District of Colombia, calls on Facebook to release “all documents and communications produced, drafted, posted or published on the Facebook page” of military officials and police forces.
The U.S. case has been referred to a judge who is due to schedule a meeting with representatives of Facebook and The Gambia as soon as possible.
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Facebook confirmed it was aware of The Gambia’s request and would evaluate it in accordance with applicable laws.
Among officials whose Facebook data is being sought were Min Aung Hlaing, commander-in-chief of Myanmar’s armed forces. Details from 20 accounts of officials and organizations banned by Facebook in August 2018 were also sought, the document said.
World Court judges have ordered Myanmar to take urgent measures to protect the Rohingya population from genocide and other forms of violence until the case is heard in full.